Blackpool receives £21.5m in Public Health funding

The government has today announced additional funding for public health services in our community.

The £21.5 million allocated to Blackpool is part of a £200 million national funding boost to the Public Health Grant. This is the largest real-terms increase in nearly a decade, following years of cuts under the Tories.

This funding will help drive improvements in key public health services, from smoking cessation and addiction recovery to child health services and sexual health. For a town like Blackpool, which faces significant health challenges, this investment vital.

Services on the frontlines, such as those tackling our opioid crisis and alcohol dependency issues, will benefit from this boost and can expand their important work supporting vulnerable members of our community.

“Prevention is better than cure. By investing in services that help people quit smoking, get children off to a healthy start, and access addiction recovery support, this funding will pay for itself in the long run.”

I’ve seen firsthand the challenges faced by our public health services, and I’ve spoken to many of those who work tirelessly to address serious health issues in our town. This funding is a recognition of their hard work, and it will help us build a healthier future for Blackpool. By focusing on prevention rather than just treatment, we can not only improve health outcomes but also relieve pressure on our NHS and social care systems.

This funding increase is also part of a broader national conversation about how we can build a health service fit for the future. The government is currently shaping a new Ten Year Health Plan for England, with the focus is shifting to preventing sickness in the first place – supporting people to stay healthy and tackling health inequalities head-on.

For far too long, public health services have been seen as secondary to the NHS, often suffering the biggest cuts despite their crucial role in improving long-term health outcomes. This government is putting its money where its mouth is and acknowledging that prevention is key to tackling many of the issues facing our healthcare system today.

Prevention is better than cure. By investing in services that help people quit smoking, get children off to a healthy start, and access addiction recovery support, this funding will pay for itself in the long run – by reducing demand on the NHS and keeping people in work.

This is a step forward for Blackpool and for the country – we must keep up the momentum, working with local councils and health services to ensure that these funds are used effectively and make a real difference in the lives of those who need it most. This is about more than just healthcare – it’s about building stronger, healthier communities for the future and building a better Blackpool.