Suffolk and Essex among lowest funded as government defends public health grants

Full Story in East Anglian Daily Times 29 January 2018

The Government has defended its decision to reduce public health grants, after latest figures revealed that Suffolk and Essex were among the lowest funded per head.

Data released by the Department for Health and Social care showing public health grants for 2017/18, and indicative allocations for the next two years revealed that Suffolk was awarded £30.7 million – the equivalent of £41 per head, while Essex was granted £64.1m, equating to £44 per head.

Over the next two years both authorities are facing reduced grants, as mirrored across the country.

However, despite the reduction, the two authorities are still facing significantly less funding than other authorities, with just 17 other authorities receiving less than Suffolk.