Responding to the  Dr Layla McCay, director of policy at the NHS Confederation, said: 

 

“While any additional cash for councils is welcome, our partners in local government have had to manage a decade of funding cuts and it is not yet clear if this is enough to help system leaders avoid having to make difficult decisions over the future of services. Health and care services are both under immense pressure and our members are concerned that the funding pressure across local government is leaving them unable to offer care packages to help people move out of hospital.

 

“Public health, tackling health inequalities and improving prevention are huge priorities for Integrated Care Systems (ICS). Local authorities are key partners in this, and we will not be able to reap the massive opportunities ICSs offer to improve population health without properly funded public health services.

 

“This is why we want to see a real-terms restoration in the public health grant, reflecting the increase in demand after a decade of cuts and rising need.

 

“With staffing gaps across both health and social care we would also like to see the development of a plan for the social care workforce to mirror the NHS long term workforce plan and ensure that local authorities receive additional funding to deliver it.”