The BMJ’s freedom of information requests show how budget constraints are affecting public health services. Gareth Iacobucci reports

Millions of pounds have been stripped from frontline public health services in England as a result of the government’s cuts, The BMJ can reveal. According to the findings of our investigation, councils are disinvesting in areas such as prevention, addiction services, sexual health, and weight management after a 6% government cut in the public health grant for this financial year. More cuts are planned for 2016-17.