A MAJOR lifeline for those in need faces being cut later this year after the Government stopped paying the grant which funds it.

The Emergency Assistance Fund provides help for those who have fallen unexpectedly into hard times and are in need of an immediate helping hand.

Support is provided by food vouchers, second-hand furniture and help with paying bills. Cash is not given out.

But when the Government cut the Welfare Fund in December it left no funding source for the Emergency Assistance Fund, so the recommendation in the latest budget announcements is to cut this support.

Final decisions on Govern-ment funding are made in February, and council chiefs have said they are lobbying hard to have it re-instated.

If it is not, a replacement could be introduced but it will not have same level of financial backing.

Andrew Hill, who is the project manager of Swindon Foodbank, accepts the council is under severe financial pressures but fears abolishing the fund will have a knock-on effect.

He said: “Over the past 12 months we have been raising awareness of the Emergency Fund. It is one of the main sources by which people are referred to us.

“If the fund goes then there will be increased pressure on other agencies such as Citizens Advice.

“It could lead to an increase for us of 50 per cent of users of the Foodbank. I believe the people of Swindon would step up the donations so the biggest issue for us would be referrals.”

The Labour Group Leader has also criticised the decision to cut the central fund and says it is vital those in need have a level of support.

CounJim Grant said: “I think the Government’s abolition of the Emergency Assistance fund is a cruel and callous move.

“This fund is designed as the last lifeline for people who have fallen on severe hard times as a result of the Government’s big welfare cuts over the last five years.

“The Conservative Group have said they are seeking to persuade the government to reverse this welfare cut and change their minds on this and we hope they are successful.

“However, if they are not, I feel the council will need to do something to mitigate the effects of this callous cut to the Emergency Assistance Fund.”

The Cabinet Member for Finance Russell Holland (Con, St Margaret and South Marston) says it is not viable to fund something continuously from reserves.

He said: “We have legal responsibility to provide statutory services, which are increasing in demand, and this is unfortunately not statutory.

“It is difficult to sustain the fund by simply spending reserves, which we have to keep at a certain level.

“The Government was providing support funding for the local welfare and that has been cut.

“The final decision on Government spending will be made in February and we have been lobbying,for the support to be re-instated. If that is not the case then I have said we will consider using reserves.

“There will be a replacement but it will not be of the same level.”