Emergency aid schemes are cut by up to 92pc

‘Postcode lottery’ of provision created

“VITAL” COUNCIL schemes to help the most vulnerable people in society with basic necessities have been slashed by up to 92 per cent in the seven years since the Government handed the role to local authorities.

Welfare assistance schemes – which provide emergency provisions to people who have fled domestic violence or are recovering from homelessness – have been cut back an average of 69 per cent across the region since 2013, figures obtained by The Yorkshire Post under the Freedom of Information Act show.

Since being passed from central government to local authorities, a decrease in funding and changes to who is eligible has created a wide variation and a “postcode lottery” of provision.

Bradford has seen the most severe cuts as funding has been slashed by 92 per cent – from nearly £2m to £150,000 – followed by Rotherham at 87 per cent and Barnsley at 81 per cent.

While some councils had cut the fund by much less, none had avoided cutting it altogether or increased the funding available.

Sheffield was the least affected by cuts, with just 21 per cent

cut from its welfare assistance budget, followed by North Yorkshire and Doncaster, cutting only 25 and 46 per cent respectively. Though the picture is bad in some parts of Yorkshire, across the UK more than 25 assistance schemes have closed completely.

Sam Royston, director of policy and research at The Children’s Society told The Yorkshire

Post: “Local welfare assistance schemes offer vital help for families facing an emergency, such as a flood in their home or family bereavement. Without them, people have nowhere to turn in times of financial crisis and this can have a really harmful impact on theirs and their children’s lives and mental health.

“It is incredibly disappointing to see such a huge reduction in investment by local councils, especially at a time when the number of people and families living in poverty continues to rise.

“It is vital the Government increases spending and ensures all local councils have sufficient funds to deliver a robust safety net so people are not left facing destitution.”

Bradford Council said its local welfare scheme is run in conjunction with other partners which also provide debt, welfare and money advice.

A spokesman said: “As well as our Local Welfare Assistance Scheme there is also the Discretionary Housing Payment scheme, which offers extra help with housing costs for certain people who receive Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit.”

He added that the council prioritised spending on people who needed it most.