The Government believes that we need action to promote public health, and encourage behaviour change to help people live healthier lives. We need an ambitious strategy to prevent ill-health which harnesses innovative techniques to help people take responsibility for their own health.

• We will give local communities greater control over public health budgets with payment by the outcomes they achieve in improving the health of local residents.

• We will give GPs greater incentives to tackle public health problems.

• We will investigate ways of improving access to preventative healthcare for those in disadvantaged areas to help tackle health inequalities.

• We will ensure greater access to talking therapies to reduce long-term costs for the NHS.