GOVERNMENT funding for child health visitors and action to tackle drug and alcohol addiction, mental health and obesity has been axed by £1 billion and is in danger of ending completely.

Local councils run the vital services through public health grant funding allocations from the government’s Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents all local authorities in England, said that the amount of funding has fallen by £1 billion since 2015-16 — and that “time is running out” for any programmes at all for the next year because no grants have been announced.

Councils are consequently unable to set budgets and renew contracts for the services.

LGA community wellbeing board vice-chairman David Baines said: “Demand for vital treatment including mental health support was high before the pandemic.

“In the aftermath of Covid-19, it is even more urgent that these services are properly funded.

“Councils are currently in the dark about public health funding and this can’t go on. Residents and our communities need clarity.

“Every pound invested by government in council-run services such as public health helps to relieve pressure on other services like the NHS and the criminal justice system.”

Mr Baines said that the government needs to give councils the clarity they need so they can increase investment to protect the health of local communities over the coming months and years.

He added that the grant announcements would ensure all local authorities can continue to meet their public health responsibilities into the future.

DHSC Minister Neil O’Brien said: “We will announce 2023-24 public health grant allocations to local authorities shortly and in doing so will consider the impact of changes to pay and inflation trends and forecasts since the Spending Review.”