Lib Dems slam public health budget cuts in Surrey

Figures released by the Department for Health shows the Conservative Government is planning a further £1,837,022 cut to the public health budget in Surrey. The budget pays to help improve people's health - and stop them getting ill in the first place - so there is less pressure on the NHS.

Work undertaken by public health budgets include encouraging people to exercise more, give up smoking, drink less, come off drugs and drink and avoid sexually transmitted diseases.

Leader of the Lib Dems on Woking Borough Council and County Councillor for Woking South, Councillor Will Forster said:

"This cut will mean that local residents are less likely to make good decisions on their health, and when they do need help it is less likely to be there for them. The Lib Dems say these are the wrong cuts, made in the wrong way and they will end up costing the Government and the NHS more than is saved."

"Shockingly, this cut in spending on public health comes on top off an over £2 million cut in Surrey public health spending announced in only July 2015. The Government needs to stop regularly cutting preventive health work, it only makes the job of the NHS and the County Council's adult social care department even harder."