Charities braced for worst after review

Fears are growing in the voluntary sector over the future of
Supporting People services they are delivering due to continued
doubts over the programme’s funding.

Some charities are being left in financial uncertainty after being
told the contracts they signed with partners are not binding.

Geraldine Mahon, regional director for Midlands and North region at
mental health charity Maca, said there was “widespread anxiety”
about council reviews of services.

She said: “Funding cuts are anticipated but we don’t know where
they will be. One partner has in effect cancelled their contract
with us, although we continue to provide the service and pay for
it.

“They say they cannot be bound by the contract we both signed and
won’t issue a new one until they feel confident about the Office of
the Deputy Prime Minister’s intentions on funding.”

Kate Lattimore, Supporting People co-ordinator at homelessness
charity St Mungo’s, said an increase of 3.5 per cent a year was
needed for front-line services “just to stand still”.

She said: “I hope our Supporting People income is not going to be
cut but things are uncertain for everyone until the grants – and
how they will be allocated across local authorities – are
announced.”

A spokesperson for mental health charity Mind confirmed that some
of its local associations involved in providing Supporting People
projects were vulnerable because funding was unconfirmed.

The Audit Commission is reviewing how Supporting People money is
spent. It is widely expected that next year’s budget will drop from
£1.8bn to £1.4bn.