Welcoming the announcement, Shirley Cramer, Chief Executive of RSPH, said“Until today, our hardworking and vital public health teams have been kept in the dark, having to plan for the new financial year round the corner without knowing their budget. Even in normal times this would be unacceptable, so it is a big step forward that the Government has at last ended this uncertainty, and given councils the money they need to focus on the fantastic job they are doing responding to the coronavirus outbreak up and down the country.

“The real-terms boost to this year’s public health funding promised today is welcome, but those on the frontline will recognise that this announcement alone is but a small step toward reversing the years of cut-backs. This year’s Spending Review must put meat on the bone of today’s announcements, and commit to a long term settlement for public health teams so they can protect our population and reduce future strain on the NHS.”