News

A major new local authority public health improvement and support offer is to be led by the Local Government Association (LGA) over the next three years.

"Creating a smokefree generation will only be achieved through sustained prevention, legislation and a shared commitment across government, local government, health services, and communities."

We are pleased to see a real terms increase in the grant, alongside alignment with the Local Government Finance Settlement, the bringing together of key funding streams for services and continued investment in the Swap to Stop scheme.

"Councils are ready to support the ambitions of the plan by helping to ensure that new approaches – innovation, technology, and digital tools – reach every community, particularly those with the poorest outcomes."

New research has found that integrated services are key to meeting the national target of achieving 75 per cent of five-year-olds with a good level of development (GLD) by 2028, but that workforce shortages and limited access to high-quality early years education are restricting progress.

"It’s never too late to catch up on vaccines. Councils will continue to play a central role in providing trusted information to families and helping tackle misinformation so that more children are protected from preventable illness."

"Councils are committed to using this funding to improve the lives of local people and tackle the root causes of poor health."

The latest figures published today show that the number of adults in contact with treatment services for drug and alcohol misuse in 2024/25 was up by six per cent on the previous year.

“The silent health crisis among men is a pressing issue for society, but with sustained attention and collective action, we can ensure that more men receive the support they need to lead longer, happier and healthier lives.”

"The Government must urgently commit to a national 10-year sexual and reproductive health strategy, as we have previously called for, backed by sustainable funding.