COUNCIL 'SCROOGES' ENSURE UNHAPPY CHRISTMAS TO MANY YOUNG CARE LEAVERS

18.12.03

Haringey's Labour-run council has been accused of behaving like Scrooge in deciding not to make the traditional seasonal grant of £30 to children leaving care this year. The plans were revealed after Liberal Democrat councillor Ron Aitken was asked to intervene.

The Lib Dem Social Services Spokesperson has demanded an explanation for the cutback that he says will hit a very vulnerable group hard at this time of year. The news came after Council Executive member for Social Services, Takki Sulaiman revealed that the Social Services budget is set to overspend by £5.1 million.

Approximately 250 children will leave care this year. The approximate saving to the Council's Social Services budget is just £7,500.

Cllr Aitken comments:

"The Labour council's overspend on social services appears to be at the expense of vulnerable children, who deserve a break at Christmas. I will be demanding an explanation from the Council as to why they have decided to play Scrooge on this issue."

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