Asked by: Sandy Martin (Labour - Ipswich)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential benefits to public health of increasing the funding of the NHS above four per cent per annum in real terms.
Answered by Steve Barclay
The Government is committed to supporting the National Health Service. As part of the new long-term plan for the NHS, the Government has announced plans for a five-year budget settlement. By 2023/24, the NHS will receive increased funding of £20.5 billion in real terms per year compared to today – an average increase of 3.4% per year overall.
In relation to public health, the Government recognises the role these services play in managing demand for health services and improving people’s wellbeing, including through action taken by local authorities. Decisions on investment in public health functions from this settlement are subject to the development of the long-term NHS plan, which will be brought forward through close working between the NHS and Government, in consultation with patients and the public.
The Department has not made an assessment of the potential benefits to the health of the public of increasing the funding of the NHS above 4% per year in real terms.