Responding to the publication of the Public Health Grant allocations to local authorities in England for 2024/25, the deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery said:

"Today's small – but welcome – funding announcement underlines just how important investment in public health is given the crucial role these services play in preventing ill health, promoting healthier lives and tackling deeply entrenched health inequalities. This is particularly important in light of the wider financial pressures facing local councils.

"Much more funding is needed if we are going to reverse the effects of years of public health funding cuts, which have critically undermined local government efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of their communities and added to the strain on the NHS.

"A new report from the Academy of Medical Sciences sets out in stark detail the scale of the challenge ahead of us due to declining health among young children in the UK and the risks if we fail to take action.

"Trust leaders and their partners in local government have long known that investing in public health services, such as sexual health, physical activity and suicide prevention initiatives, is a win-win situation. Investment improves the nation's health, is cost effective and delivers value for the taxpayer.

"It's vital the government recognises this too."