A SUPPORT service for vulnerable people in North Yorkshire is facing funding cuts of nearly £1 million.

The North Yorkshire Supporting People service provides housing-related support to vulnerable people in the county and could see a £957,000 reduction in the grant it receives from central government in the next financial year.

The service offers a variety of support, ranging from a simple alarm system for elderly people in sheltered accommodation to more extensive support for people with learning disabilities or mental health needs who need support to remain living independently.

It also provides help to homeless people trying to regain their independence and for women fleeing from domestic violence.

In the light of government cuts announced last month (December), North Yorkshire's Supporting People Commissioning Body is freezing the amount it will pay contractors who provide services for vulnerable people.

Richard Pick, the chairman of the commissioning body said it would be making strong representations to the government about the scale of the cuts and the impact they will have on Supporting People services in North Yorkshire.

He said: "Our aim will be to ensure, along with service providers, that vulnerable service users are protected while efficiencies are made, although this could mean some reduced service levels.

"The Supporting People team will be working hard with providers to find the efficiency savings required to bridge next year's deficit of £957,000."

The Government has announced an almost five per cent reduction nationally on money given to the Supporting People scheme.

The total figure is down from £1.805 billion for 2004/05 to £1.715 billion for 2005/06.

But North Yorkshire's grant has been reduced by 5.78 per cent compared with the national average of 4.99 per cent. This settlement is the 11th worst overall in England.

But it has been warned that further cuts to its grant could be made over the next three years.

Mr Pick added: "The Government is indicating that too much is being spent nationally on this service and North Yorkshire can expect further cuts over the three year period as part of the Government's proposals.

"The proposed formula for cuts for 2006/07 and 2007/08 would be subject of a consultation exercise."