GOVERNMENT cuts totalling £3.3million to Worcestershire’s public health budget have been labelled ‘harsh’ by county council bosses.
The authority uses its Public Health ring-fenced grant to help people suffering from domestic abuse, homelessness and drug and alcohol addiction.
However, that support is set to be reduced and, in some cases, discontinued following Chancellor George Osborne’s plans to save £200million nationwide from the grant.
The news has left councillors in Worcestershire in shock as they usually receive £26.5million from the Government.
Speaking at a cabinet meeting last week council leader Coun Adrian Hardman said he was disappointed with the announcement as he revealed the authority was facing double the size of cuts compared to others, such as Somerset County Council which is only seeing a £1.5million reduction.
