Hundreds protest over proposed care cuts in Kirklees

Hundreds of people have staged a protest against proposed cuts to adult social care in Kirklees.

Protesters, who gathered outside Huddersfield Town Hall earlier, said any withdrawal of day care services would have a catastrophic effect on families.

The proposal is part of the authority's drive to make £80m of savings by 2014.

People currently classed as needing "substantial" levels of support would see their funding withdrawn.

In a consultation letter, the council states: "To meet the demands of the future all councils need to target funding at those most in need.

"This means we have to change the way in which adult social care is provided and we may have to offer support only to those people meeting the critical band of need."

'Totally unfair'

The letter added that this was due to an increase in demand for services and a decrease in council funding.

Protester Marie Nicholson's twin sons have substantial learning difficulties and use a day centre three days a week.

She said: "Families like ours do tend to be isolated and sometimes this is the only chance they get to interact and to learn, and it doesn't bear thinking about that that could be taken away from them.

"It's totally unfair and totally unnecessary."

Councillors will meet to discuss the proposal next week.