PEOPLE affected by major social care cuts in York have not been given enough say in the decision, a campaign group has claimed.

York Independent Living Network (YILN), a lobby group for disabled people, says it is “extremely concerned” about how ruling councillors reached the decision to remove social care support from people with “moderate” needs, and said the consultation so far had been “appalling”.

City of York Council has said only those with critical or substantial needs will now qualify for care, meaning cuts for 184 people with “moderate” needs, which can include help shopping, bathing, showering or preparing meals.

YILN, which is co-chaired by Labour councillor Lynn Jeffries, welcomed the move by the Liberal Democrats to challenge the cuts, which will be re-debated in a cross-party meeting this afternoon.

The group yesterday said the council should scrap its original consultation and carry out a more “meaningful” one.

Marije Davidson, spokesperson for YILN, said the cuts could mean the difference between “a person playing a full and equal part in the community and a person being housebound” and said cuts now could increase some people’s need in future.

She said: “We are astounded that the council never once asked service users how their decision may impact on their quality of life.”

The cuts will save the council £390,000 a year and bring them into line with 83 per cent of councils nationwide. The council will use £150,000 of the savings to help fund “alternative community support”.

Ms Davidson said: “We recognise that the council is seeking to continue to provide some support, but it is wrong to reduce disabled people’s choice and control over their lives and instead require them to rely on institutional support.

"We would like to work with them to support disabled people to make effective use of their budgets including pooling resources and reduce their reliance on more expensive “one size fits all” services."

City council leader James Alexander said: “The recent 54p a week council tax increase provided an additional £1.5m to this budget, but it is a national problem that demand for these services are outstripping resources to supply.

“We therefore need to target resources to those in the most need.

“Most councils in Yorkshire are already at substantial criteria such as Leeds and Sheffield.

“As the Government cuts funding to councils by a third, services must become targeted to those most in need.”

Census data shows the number of people aged 85-89 in York has increased by 30 per cent in the past decade, and the number of over-90s by 34 per cent.