'Public health grant growth of 21% is good news for Cumbria' - Farron

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has welcomed the news that Cumbria has been given a massive 21% uplift in it's grant for public health provision in the county.

The ring fenced grants for 2013-14 and 2014-15 announced today provide local authorities with £2.66 billion and £2.79 billion to spend on public health services for their local populations. Average growth of 5.5% has been provided in 2013-14 and 5.0% in 2014-15. Cumbria has received a 10% uplift in 2013-14 and another 10% 2014-15. This means that Cumbria will see its budget increase by nearly a quarter.

Upper tier and unitary local authorities will, from April 2013, have a duty to take appropriate steps to improve the health of their population, funded through a ring-fenced grant. Local authorities will take the lead for improving the health of their local population and reducing health inequalities.

Tim has called for some of the money to be invested in improving mental health provision in the county.

Tim said: "This money is much needed. We need to improve public health provision in Cumbria. Health professionals have been telling me for a long time now that the service was chronically underfunded. I went to lobby the Government to make sure that Cumbria got its fair share of funding. This fantastic uplift of 21% will hopefully make a massive difference and I want to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at the sharp end. Their evidence and help really made sure that our county received this funding boost."