Brighton & Hove's AIDS Support Grant could be cut by up to 70 per cent next year if the national Conservative/Lib Dem government goes ahead with proposals to change the method of allocating funding' the Green Group of Councillors warned today.
Two new methods of allocating the money are proposed. To illustrate the potential change' a Department of Health consultation paper applies both methods to the city's 2010/11 allocation of £455'000.
"The first method' which uses 2008 HIV caseload data to determine the level of grant' reduces the allocation to £289'000 - a wounding cut of 37 per cent'" says Green Party Convenor' Councillor Bill Randall.
"A massive cut of 70 per cent' a reduction in the Brighton and Hove allocation of £135'000' would be inflicted using the second method. This is calculated on the need of each council to provide social care for all people aged 18 to 64.
"The current arrangement' where allocations are made on the number of adults and children with HIV in each local authority' would be scrapped.
"The application of either of these methods would be devastating for those living with HIV in Brighton and Hove and for council and voluntary services.
"Cuts would follow upon tailored packages of care' home adaptations' occupational therapy' counselling and family support services - all of which help those with HIV to live independently.
"The number of specialist HIV social workers would also be cut.
"At a time when more people with HIV/AIDS are living longer' we should be looking at ways of providing extra funding to help this vulnerable group.
"These proposals are yet more evidence that the Coalition is turning its back on those with the greatest needs."
Notes
The proposals are contained in a Department of Health Consultation Document on changes to the allocation for social care grants: www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_117893
For more information please contact the Brighton and Hove Green Party office on 01273 766 670.
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