Recommendation 2

The public health grant to local authorities for the commissioning of sexual health services (SHSs) has been reduced substantially during a period of increasing demand. This is not sustainable and an obvious false economy. It has left many SHSs unable to maintain sufficient staff to provide an adequate level of service. It is unacceptable that around half of SHSs have been unable to offer face-to-face consultations when contacted. This has equality impacts, for young people who need face-to-face advice and support from trusted adults, but also for other groups likely to struggle to access support online.