A Burntwood councillor has warned people could be forced to turn to loan sharks if the closure of a hardship fund goes ahead.
Labour county councillor Sue Woodward has also questioned why only a small fraction of the Local Crisis Support Scheme fund has been spent in Staffordshire.
“Given the levels of hardship currently being experienced by individuals and families on low incomes, especially at this time of year, I am sure that many will share my dismay that only 2.5 per cent of the fund has been passed on to help people in desperate need,” she said.
“Staffordshire County Council was allocated £1.4million last April when the Government scrapped the Social Fund but had only spent £35,000 by the end of 2013.
“Now, however, we learn that the Government is going to scrap this emergency fund altogether in 15 months’ time which will only serve to increase the numbers of people who have to resort to loan sharks or excessive-interest credit or turn to local charities, including food banks, for support.
“Surely it cannot be that the Government wanted local schemes to fail in order to justify a further cut hurting those least able to cope?”
Cllr Woodward has also commended local residents for their efforts to help others in times of need.
She explained: “In contrast to the cold-heartedness of Government and the County Council towards those hardest hit by their austerity measures, thank goodness that there are generous people across the county – and the country – who donate to food banks and give their time freely to run support services or credit unions, such as Fusion.
“The Staffordshire Crisis Support Scheme was not well-publicised and, in my view, the criteria for receiving assistance were set far too high but if you or someone you know are in need call 0300 111 8008, while the scheme still operates.”
