The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Jane Ellison)
Today I am announcing public health allocations for local authorities in England for 2015-16 and details of a new health premium incentive pilot scheme.
After the significant increases in 2013-14 and 2014-15, in real-terms funding for local authorities will remain at £2.79 billion for 2015-16. This funding will remain ring-fenced for use exclusively on public health measures, and we are confident of local authorities’ continuing ability to sustain and improve the quality of their services in the coming financial year.
Taken together over the period 2013-14 to 2015-16 we have increased public health spending by 4.7% in real terms and over 10% in cash terms. This represents a major investment in health and the prevention of illness.
We will also allocate an additional £5 million towards a new health premium incentive pilot scheme in 2014-15, meeting our commitment to introducing a health premium that will encourage local authorities to improve the health of their populations and will reduce health inequalities. Local authorities are invited to give us their views on this scheme.
“Health Premium Incentive Scheme 2014-15 and Public Health Allocations—A Technical Consultation”, which contains details of the allocations and the incentive scheme, has been placed in the Library. Copies are available to hon. Members from the Vote Office and to noble Lords from the Printed Paper Office.