Cash strapped councils are slashing funding for 'lifeline services' which support some of the most vulnerable people in their communities by up to 67% - leaving many to effectively fend for themselves, a campaign group warned today.

Women fleeing domestic violence, pensioners who rely on support to help them live independently at home and people with mental health problems are among the groups who could be left to fend for themselves as a result of significant cutbacks in the services they rely upon.

In some circumstances whole services face closure as local authorities look to make massive savings over the next four years.

The Chancellor announced a 12% cut to the money allocated to Supporting People – which funds services for over a million vulnerable people at any one time – in the spending review. However the money is no longer ring fenced and councils can spend it on whatever they want to, which is already leading to big cuts to Supporting People services.

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The Federation has called on local authorities to be transparent and account for exactly what they will be spending their Supporting People funding on.

Nottinghamshire council is warning of a 67% cut over the next four years, Somerset council has already confirmed an 18% cut next year. Cornwall Council has meanwhile confirmed it will reduce its funding by 40% over the next three years.

There is no legal duty to support many of the groups traditionally funded by Supporting People – despite their vulnerability. These include some single homeless people, many older people and those with drug and alcohol addictions.

The National Housing Federation, which represents 1,200 housing associations, warned the long-term financial costs would also outweigh the short-term savings from cutting back on services – as demands on the NHS, police forces and the courts surge as a result.

It estimates that if councils go ahead with their proposed cuts, a considerable additional strain will be placed on the public purse.

(CD/GK)