Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the level of increase in public health funding needed by local authorities to clear the backlog in demand for public health services due to the covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement.

No specific assessment has been made. Analytical work to support the 2021 Spending Review included consideration of the impact of COVID-19 as part of a range of potential pressures on local authorities’ public health services. The Public Health Grant to local authorities will be maintained in real terms over the Spending Review period. We also announced additional investment to tackle obesity and improve the Start for Life offer available to families, with further funding committed to deliver the drugs strategy.