A funding cut to emergency help for vulnerable people will have widespread consequences, it is claimed.

This week it was announced that the government will cut the Local Welfare Provision fund for councils from £174million to £130million in 2015/16.

Redbridge council said its Emergency Support Scheme is vital to protect people in hardship, including domestic violence victims, pregnant mothers, the mentally ill, pensioners and children leaving care.

It comes after charity Redbridge Concern for Mental Health voiced concerns that council cuts would affect services for the vulnerable in the borough.

Labour Cllr Kam Rai, cabinet member for finance, has written to all four MPs serving Redbridge to push for the reinstatement of the funding.

He said: “The fund safeguards our most vulnerable residents.

“It helps people to safely leave violent partners and young people to successfully move on from homelessness or care.

“It supports families to stay together, helps keep kids out of care and supports people to maintain their tenancies.

“The cuts to the Local Welfare Provision fund will make it harder for councils to support vulnerable families facing a crisis.

“It’s just not sustainable to push councils to fund their schemes from existing budgets which have already been severely reduced.

“We believe we’re receiving a raw deal and it could have a negative impact on our most vulnerable people.

“We’re very disappointed as our residents deserve more and we won’t stop fighting to help those who are most in need.”

The government has been approached for comment.