Statutory guidance

Ring-fenced public health grant to local authorities

Local authorities in England must have regard to this statutory guidance when planning expenditure from the ring-fenced public health grant.

• From: Department of Health and Social Care
• Published: 2 October 2026

Applies to England

Documents

Use of the ring-fenced public health grant to local authorities

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Details

Local authorities in England have a legal duty to improve the health of people in their area. This guidance helps them make decisions about how to spend the ring-fenced public health grant to meet those duties and comply with the grant conditions.

It should be read in conjunction with the latest public health grants to local authorities circular, which can be found in the Public health grant and social care charging: local authority circulars collection.

The guidance:

• explains the legal and funding framework for the public health grant, including the roles and responsibilities of local authorities and the Department of Health and Social Care
• clarifies areas of spend that are likely to be considered eligible
• sets out principles to support local authorities in determining whether an area of spend is eligible in cases where this is less clear, including where spending relates to wider factors that affect health

Published 2 October 2026