Concerns over cuts to women's welfare aid

CONCERNS have been raised about the cost to the city council of Scottish Government cuts to three funds for women's welfare.

Under impending cuts, the Violence Against Women Fund, Children's Services Fund and Rape Crisis Specific Fund will all see budgets trimmed.

Councillor Angela Blacklock, equalities spokeswoman for the Labour group on the council, asked health leader Paul Edie what measures have been taken to address the funding gaps. In response, Councillor Edie said he had written to Community Safety Minister Fergus Ewing.

Cllr Blacklock said: "Women's Aid is already lobbying hard on the importance of these vital services, without which costs to the council and health service will sky rocket.

"These service users may rely more heavily on mental health services, have alcohol and drug dependency issues and their children could end up being the biggest losers."