Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, following comments by Mr Brian Ferguson, Chief Economist of Public Health England, in his blog Investing in prevention: the need to make the case now, what (1) amount, and (2) proportion, of each ministerial departmental budget was (a) allocated to, and (b) spent on, preventive activities in each of the last five years.

Data on the amount and proportion of each ministerial departmental budget allocated to, and spent on, preventive activities are not centrally collected.

Improving health and wellbeing and reducing health inequalities are not just the preserve of the health system. Most Government Departments can have a significant impact on population health and wellbeing. Being in quality employment, having warm homes, access to green space and safe roads are just some of the wider determinants of health where other government departments have potential to impact on societal health and wellbeing.