The National Housing Federation (NHF), housing minister Grant Shapps and Women’s Aid have joined forces to highlight the damage disproportionate cuts to Supporting People-funded services would have on some of the country’s most vulnerable groups.
In a joint letter published in the Telegraph, NHF chief David Orr and Mr Shapps – along with Women’s Aid chief executive Nicola Harwin – warn that older people, women fleeing domestic violence, homeless people and people with mental health problems could be “forced to fend for themselves” as a result of cuts to the SP programme.
Below is the letter in full:
SIR – Thousands of pensioners, women fleeing domestic violence, homeless people and people with mental health problems could be forced to fend for themselves because of unintended cuts being made to a government-funded programme called Supporting People.
Although the Government has given relative protection to this £6.5billion programme – reducing the grant it gives councils to fund these services by 12 per cent over four years – some local authorities have announced that they will make cuts of up to 50 per cent this year.
Cuts of this level hurt vulnerable people but make no financial sense. Without early identification, vulnerable individuals will quickly reach crisis point, making greater demands on health and homelessness services and the criminal justice system.
In December, Eric Pickles, the Communities Secretary, said: “Most sensible local authorities will come to the conclusion that £1 spent on Supporting People will probably save them £5 or £6 further down the line.”
Local authorities need to cut costs. But this shouldn’t mean targeting disproportionate spending reductions on programmes that support the most vulnerable.
Grant Shapps MP (Con)
Housing Minister
David Orr
Chief Executive, National Housing Federation
Nicola Harwin
Chief Executive, Women’s Aid Federation