News

At the 10-year milestone of children’s public health responsibilities moving to local authorities, the Local Government Association (LGA) is urging the Government to commit to public health in the Autumn Budget to meet the ambition of raising the ‘healthiest generation of children’, with strong leadership and sustained investment.

Today, Keep Britain Working published their review into state of the UK's workforce. Reacting to the review, the LGA highlighted the importance of public health in a health workforce, and the crucial role of councils in delivering it.

"The Government must urgently commit to a national 10-year sexual and reproductive health strategy, as we have previously called for, backed by sustainable funding.

“To make digital health truly inclusive, government must invest in local digital inclusion leads, strengthen infrastructure, and ensure councils are equal partners in shaping and delivering these services.

"It is paramount that we work constructively together and seize the opportunities presented in the 10-year plan. But to do this, the vital role of local government must be recognised.

“The silent health crisis among men is a pressing issue for society, but with sustained attention and collective action, we can ensure that more men receive the support they need to lead longer, happier and healthier lives.”

"Councils were on the frontline throughout this crisis, supporting vulnerable residents, delivering public health measures, and providing stability in the face of uncertainty."

"The rise in the number requests for high-cost care for younger working age people is a message to us all, that social care is about everyone and effects all of us, directly or indirectly."

"Councils want to work with government to reduce child poverty and are pleased to see action that supports families who are working hard but still struggling to make ends meet. "

The latest figures published today show that the number of adults in contact with treatment services for drug and alcohol misuse in 2024/25 was up by six per cent on the previous year.