Title

PUBLIC HEALTH

Charity criticises 'small' increase in public health funding

The Government has increased councils' public health grants by £45m for 2021-22.

The Government has increased councils' public health grants by £45m for 2021-22.

Councils will be allocated £3.3bn in public health funding in the next financial year, in addition to £80m to fund drug treatments and more than £70m for weight management services.

However, the 'small' increase was criticised by The Health Foundation charity, which said grant allocations represented a £1bn real terms cut compared to 2015-16.

David Finch, senior fellow at the Health Foundation, said: 'This is a 24% cut – equivalent to £1bn – on a real term per capita basis compared to 2015-16.

'These allocations have come late, just before the start of the next financial year, making planning ahead even more difficult.'

PUBLIC HEALTH

Pensions can transform places

By Pete Gladwell | 19 February 2026

Local government partnerships are crucial for turning pension savings into homes and jobs, says Pete Gladwell.

PUBLIC HEALTH

Financial reform cannot wait

By Owen Mapley | 18 February 2026

Owen Mapley says the finance settlement provides breathing space for many authorities – but this is not the same as financial resilience.

PUBLIC HEALTH

Local government finance settlement leaves sector divided

By Martin Ford | 17 February 2026

The most controversial local government finance settlement for years has divided the sector. Martin Ford looks at the fallout.

PUBLIC HEALTH

Why should we care about the local outcomes framework?

By Jeremy Cooper | 16 February 2026

Jeremy Cooper offers local authorities some suggested dos and don’ts on the new local outcomes framework, and asks if it is likely to drive top-down change.

Popular articles by MJ Editor