Judge rules care package cuts unlawful - £17.5m savings on hold

A High Court judge has ruled a cost-cutting plan by Birmingham Social Services to be unlawful. He found that city council leaders ignored provisions in the Disability Discrimination Act when they were due to stop providing care packages for about 4,000 adults whose needs are assessed as being substantial.

The local authority had been expecting to save £17.5 million this year by providing social care packages only to clients whose needs are critical.

Mr Justice Walker will deliver his full judgment next month.

Families representing four severely disabled adults argued that a move to restrict social services assistance was unlawful because it did not take account of equalities legislation. About 11,000 adults in Birmingham were to have the care they receive reviewed as a result of the cuts with 4,000 under threat of being told that they would no longer receive services.