KNOWSLEY Council is calling on the Government to reconsider proposed health funding cuts.
The authority passed a notice of motion asking the Government to honour its previous funding commitments as set out in the local government finance settle in March 2015. Earlier this month, the Government announced a further £3 billion spending cuts in 2015/16. This included the Department for Health reducing its spending on public health grants to local authorities by £200 million.
Councillor Eddie Connor, cabinet member for public health and wellbeing, said: "Public health plays a key role in preventing people from having to access NHS services.
"Funding cuts to this vital work will mean more demand on the NHS rather than focus on what causes people to be ill in the first place and I would call on the Government to reverse their decision to reduce funding in this priority area.
"Local authorities are best placed to know the needs of their communities and focus preventative measures where they are needed, when they are needed."
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