Bill Randall

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 have warned.

Green Party Convenor Councillor Bill Randall said:
"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.  
 
“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.”

Lib Dem Cllr Paul Elgood said:
"We were pleased to have successfully lobbied for this year's Aids support grant to be untouched and the full amount passed through without any reduction. This was very good news for communities who rely on this funding.

"We have to see where we are next year, but like last year we will fight any reduction or change to the current recognition of the special status of the city in terms of Aids/HIV funding.

"Over the years there has been much scare mungering for party political benefit over the provision of this grant. This does nothing to help those in the community who rely on these services. We will act again to secure this funding if needs be next year. If that means taking the case to Ministers, we will."
 
To read the Department of Health Consultation Document on changes to the allocation for social care grants click here