Boost For Vulnerable People As Council Reduces Cuts

Birmingham Council has decided to reduce its cut to spending on vulnerable people by £1.9 million after a resident consultation. An online survey showed potential risks of cutting the spending included the well-being of vulnerable people and greater costs for other services, such as police, probation and health. As a result, the Supporting People budget will only be reduced by £1.9 million this year, rather than £3.8 million, to £41.8 million. The findings, outlined in the council’s budget for 2012/13, found that the reductions at the proposed level put smaller providers at risk and result in council job losses. There was also a possibility that service users would be required to pay for services when welfare reforms were cutting their money. Read more on Inside Housing.