Plea for cuts to bite softly in Scotland

Scottish charities have urged councils not to make across-the-board cuts in Supporting People budgets.

Community Care Providers Scotland, the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations say decisions on funding should be made on a case-by-case basis.

Councils have to make nearly £25m of savings by 2007-8 because of a reduction in the Supporting People budget from the Scottish executive. Also, some councils’ allocations will fall by a quarter because of a change in funding criteria.

Annie Gunner, director of CCPS, said: “There’s been no guidance on how to manage the cuts. We’re saying that if you need to cut services you can’t just cut 5 per cent from all providers – it’s got to be done in a more scientific way.”