The government’s announcement that it will remove bespoke Covid-19 funding could reduce councils' capacity to respond to new pandemic outbreaks, according to sector leaders.
The level of scrutiny and financial management placed on the government’s £37bn Test and Trace programme was “disappointing”, according to a senior Treasury official.
Councils’ ability to handle Covid-19 test and trace responsibilities have been hampered by a lack of clarity on funding levels, according to the Public Accounts Committee.
The NHS Test and Trace Service is expected to cost £22bn this year, despite struggling to meet targets on testing and contracting tracing, the National Audit Office has said.
Michael Brodie, chair of CIPFA’s Health and Social Care Board has been appointed as interim chief executive of Public Health England, as the government launches the National Institute for Health...
