Don’t target poor families in cutbacks, warns Barnardos

THE head of one of the country’s leading children’s charities has urged the Government not to sacrifice services needed by poorer families when making cutbacks in the upcoming budget.

“The pressure on ministers will be intense and the temptation will be to make easy cuts, the sort that will not offend any powerful lobby group or vested interest. But we also know that it is the hidden cuts that can do the most damage,” said Fergus Finlay of Barnardos.

Cutting essential supports now would cost more in the longer term by exacerbating the problems of gang culture, antisocial behaviour, crime and alienation, he said.