MILLIONS of pounds is on the way to improve the health of people in Huddersfield.

Kirklees Council is to receive a public health grant of £22.6m for 2013/14 and £23.5m for the following year.

The money could be spent on projects aimed at tackling issues such as alcohol abuse, obesity and diabetes.

The money has come from the Department of Health.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: “Too many people die too early from diseases that can be prevented.

“I want more people to be able to look forward to an independent and active old age and developing high quality public health services is essential to make this a reality.

“Today’s announcement is a major investment and a step toward securing these services for the areas that need them most.

“By putting local authorities in charge of public health, we are giving them the power, freedom and the funding to tackle the issues that blight their local areas and help improve the lives of their local communities. Improving the health of local people will be at the heart of everything they do – from social care to transport, housing, planning and environment.”

Clr Mehboob Khan, leader of Kirklees Council, said: “The level of funding is a direct result of the work we have carried out on behalf of Kirklees in lobbying central government.

“We have presented a strong case and this funding is an opportunity to invest further in the people of Kirklees.

“It is important to invest wisely, helping people to be healthy and to avoid the need for expensive NHS treatment.

“We have areas with a high level of health inequality, but we invest in all our residents through a wide range of work.

“We have programmes that focus on the obesity timebomb, infant mortality, diet, promoting exercise, alcohol misuse, sexual health and diabetes.

“There are many other areas that we tackle so that local people of all ages are supported to be healthy.”