London local authorities were allocated £578 million for public health in 2015/16. This grant is ring-fenced. Initial allocations for this year were the same as for last year - highlighting how local authorities, even when taking on specific health roles, have not benefited from the funding increases provided for other NHS services. London Councils are involved in a number of policy issues on public health and public health cuts:
- we have responded to the government's announcement of 4th November that it is making £200 million cuts in 2015/16 to council public health budgets
- we have responded to the government's consultation on changes to the funding formula for public health allocations
- we have responded to the Health Select Committee's request for submissions on the public health transfer to local authorities
- we have written member briefings on the proposals for further cuts in the Spending Review and how it affects public health (only available to members)
- we have signed a joint letter to the Chancellor, asking for public health cuts to be reinstated.