LGA statement – Public health funding
LGA media release 14 June 2012
Cllr David Rogers, Chair of the LGA's Community Wellbeing Board, said:
"Councils have been given a workable basis on which to plan for the transfer of public health. However, it's vitally important that the debate continues about the overall amount of funding that is needed to ensure local authorities can meet their new public health responsibilities.
"There is also clearly more work to be done before the final allocations for next year are decided. We have long argued that funding cannot be based solely on historic data that is no longer fit for purpose. While these recommendations include a measure of health needs – standard mortality rates for people aged under 75 – it is vital that this is not considered in isolation.
"Other key factors such as migration, seasonal peaks and the numbers of children, are likely to have a major impact on demand for public health services and also need be taken into account.
"We would now urge Government to move as quickly as possible to implement a formula that is transparent, robust, and fairly represents an area's needs.
"Local authorities are eager to pick up the mantle of public health but we must be given the right resources to do so within a reasonable timeframe. Only then can councils truly be at the forefront of tackling the social factors that contribute to poor health and providing services that help people to live long and healthy lives."
View the LGA's briefing Healthy Lives, Healthy People: update on public health funding
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Author: LGA Media Office
Contact: LGA Media Office, Telephone: 020 7664 3333
15 June 2012
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