ADPH responds to funding announcement

Responding to the Government announcement of a £56.6 million funding boost for the Start for Life programme for 2025/26, on top of the £69 million previously announced for the roll out of Family Hubs, Greg Fell, ADPH President and DPH Sheffield, one of the areas that will benefit from the funding, said:

“The evidence is clear that supporting children and young people in the very early stages of life is crucial in preventing ill health in future. It also has the added benefit of supporting and developing thriving, healthy communities and embedding good health at all levels in our society.

“We are therefore very pleased to see this additional funding for the Start for Life programme, and the recognition of the importance of giving everyone, regardless of their background, the very best start in life.

“However, while this extra funding is appreciated, we continue to advocate for an increase to the public health grant so that DsPH across England can continue to deliver services for the benefit of all children, young people and their families, and urge the Government to continue with its commitments over the long term to fully establish the benefits of these, and other public health initiatives, for now and for the future.”