Statement: responding to the publication of the public health grant allocations

The public health grant allocations are too little, too late. After years of cuts, and in the context of COVID-19, we are dismayed that this settlement does not reflect the immense pressures on local public health leadership and services. 

During 2021-22, local public health will continue to play a key leadership role in the management of COVID-19 as well as addressing the underlying health inequalities that have been exposed and exacerbated by the virus. 

If we are serious about learning the lessons from COVID-19 then we should be investing substantially in local public health now.