Torbay Mayor, Gordon Oliver, said: “I welcome the announcement that the coalition government will revisit its decision to cut funding for local welfare provision from April 2015, which funds the council’s Crisis Support Scheme. As a council, we have already responded to the proposed cut by ring fencing monies to ensure a scheme can continue in the next financial year.  Despite the financial challenges faced by Torbay, we have recognised the important of providing funding for the most vulnerable members in the Bay.

“I hope that by reconsidering its initial decision the government will reinstate the funding from new resources and not from within the overall allocation to local government.”