In response the announcement about the public health grant, William Roberts, Chief Executive, Royal Society for Public Health, commented:

We have everything to gain and nothing to lose when it come to investing in public health. Today's announcement marks a welcome recognition that public health is vital to achieving the Government's ambitions on prevention, but this funding alone will not be sufficient. 

Reversing the alarming rise in rates of ill-health, taking pressure off the NHS, and making the Government’s health mission a reality means a tangible shift to prevention.

The public health workforce has the experience, skills, and knowhow to help people lead healthier lives. Ultimately this is what we will need to do if we want to reduce waiting lists and keep people out of hospitals.

As the NHS streamlines reliance on national targets, and is setting fewer centrally mandated public health and prevention measures, it is vital that preventative services remain properly resourced and are put at the heart of the NHS 10 Year Plan – particularly given the emphasis the Darzi review has rightly put on the importance of prevention.

We stand ready to support the renewed focus on prevention and hope to see the Government build on today's announcement in the coming months so we can build a healthier future for the UK.