Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assistance they will provide to local authorities to support them with the (1) financing, and (2) provision, of (a) adult social care services, (b) public health services, including access to specialist trauma counselling, and (c) other general public services.

The Local Government Finance Settlement makes available an additional £3.7 billion to councils for 2022/23. This will enable councils to deliver key services, including adult social care and other general public services. The majority of this funding is un-ringfenced as local authorities are best placed to understand local priorities.

Public health services commissioned by local authorities in England are funded through the ring-fenced Public Health Grant. The 2021 Spending Review confirmed that the Public Health Grant will increase in each of the next three years. In 2022/23, each local authority will receive a 2.81% increase, with total funding reaching £3.417 billion. The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities offers advice and support to authorities on the services that best meet the needs of their local populations. In addition, the Department funds the Local Government Association to provide peer support to local authorities through a sector-led improvement programme.

Access to specialist trauma counselling is available from the National Health Service from a range of providers according to clinical need.