OXFORDSHIRE has lost £6.1million in funding for public health services in the last five years, new figures show.

This equates to a cut of 16.2 per cent or £11 per person.

The analysis was carried out by the Labour Party and verified by the House of Commons Library.

Oxford East MP, Annelise Dodds, said it was 'beggars' belief' that local health services had lost so much funding.

The shadow secretary of state for women and equalities said: “I know the public health team in Oxfordshire have worked so hard to keep us all safe during the pandemic, and I’m grateful to them for everything they have done.

“It beggars’ belief that despite their hard work, the services they run have experienced such devastating cuts.”

Jonathan Ashworth, shadow secretary of state for health and social care, said: "Our NHS is in crisis and patients are waiting longer for treatment thanks to years of Tory cuts and a failure to recruit the doctors and nurses needed.

"In communities across the country the Tories have cut the vital public health services that prevent people becoming seriously ill, ultimately putting more pressure on local hospitals.

"To save lives we need to keep people well, but instead public health services are set to be stretched again thanks to this Conservative government."

The department for health and social care has been contacted for comment.