LAST CHANCE SALOON FOR LAMBETH LABOUR

12.01.50pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 25th Jul 2007

Next Monday sees the last chance for Labour in Lambeth to listen to vulnerable people who depend on the Borough's social care services and on the help provided by local voluntary organisations.

Labour Town Hall bosses make their final decision at the Cabinet meeting on Monday evening.

Cllr Rob Banks, Lib Dem Spokesperson on Adult Services, said: "Labour have been forced to back down on the changes to care criteria. This would have meant over 700 people being denied care services.

"But at the moment they are still looking to slash over £730,000 of funding for voluntary organisations such as Lambeth Carers which provide support to those most vulnerable people in our society. And they also want to hike care charges from £7.50 and hour to over £17 an hour.

"They found the money to stop the cuts in eligibility criteria. If Lambeth Labour really value older people, then they must find the money to stop the care services hikes and the cuts in voluntary sector funding.

"Staff have already been sacked and events like Lambeth Carers Week cancelled. Lambeth Labour must act quickly to stop any more damage to the lives of vulnerable people."

ENDS