Exeter City Council underspends hardship fund

At an Executive meeting tonight the Council's Local Council Tax support scheme was reviewed. Following a question from Lib Dem Councillor Adrian Fullam, it was revealed that only £13250 of the Exceptional Hardship fund was spent out of a budget of £35000. The unspent money has been returned to Council coffers. Either the amount of hardship in the city is being exaggerated for political purposes or the Labour Council is failing to help those in need.

This ties in to national news that £20 million specifically set aside to help people adapt to welfare reforms was not spent by local authorities last year.

www.libdems.org.uk/_20m_support_for_welfare_reform_claimants_unspent