FEARS are growing that a vital 'crisis fund' for Worcestershire is not coming back - a move which could leave vulnerable people facing further desperation.

Councillors in Worcester say they are deeply concerned charities and foodbanks will be inundated with pleas for help unless the Government changes its mind in February over a scheme to help those in trouble.

A two-year £180 million kitty to give people help with food vouchers, furniture, microwaves and beds was launched across the UK in 2013, including £900,000 for south Worcestershire.

In Worcester, Malvern and Wychavon it has helped more than 1,500 people since its inception but the Government intends to end it this year.

Local government minister Kris Hopkins was believed to have been considering a scaled-down £70 million scheme, but ditched it after internal pressure from Chancellor George Osborne.

A final decision is due next month and council leaders have been encouraged to offer feedback on it in recent weeks.

Councillors in Worcester have called the situation "disgraceful" and say they are worried not enough money is swilling around the county's public sector to have an effective 'plan B' in case the worst-case scenario becomes reality.

Labour Councillor Roger Berry said: "It's a disgraceful example of central Government passing the buck to local authorities.

"It's really very sad, we're heading towards having nothing unless we find our own solution.

"It makes you feel for people at the hard end, it's a terrific responsibility to help these vulnerable people which I suspect will be passed onto charities and foodbanks."

Conservative Councillor Simon Geraghty, the leader, has agreed with him, saying it's "disappointing".

Mr Hopkins has told councils he believes they should use their own revenue support grant (RSG) funding to launch their own schemes from April.

Cllr Geraghty said: "We would expect and want central Government to fund this, and are actively lobbying them on that.

"It has been provided by the Government for the last two years and they should continue to do that.

"This is a responsibility which has been passed onto local government which we've done a better job of.

"It's disappointing when you hear phrases like 'it's in the RSG'. I'd urge the Government even at this late hour to fund the scheme."

Your Worcester News can also reveal how Councillor Adrian Hardman, the county council leader, had a telephone conversation with Mr Hopkins earlier this month to lobby him on it.

The thinking beyond scrapping the existing project is that some councils have had trouble spending the money, citing a lack of clarity over what to use it for and low take-up among the public because of a shortage of publicity.

Despite that, it has been very successful in south Worcestershire after the city council agreed to manage it for people in Worcester, Malvern and Wychavon, based on a voucher redemption system.

Mr Hopkins has already said councils have got grants worth £129 million towards helping the vulnerable, but it is not ring-fenced - unlike the £180 million welfare assistance project, which was.

He said: "This allocation will not be ring-fenced and we will not be placing any new duties, expectations or monitoring requirements on its use.

"The Government has always been clear councils should choose how best to support local welfare needs – because what is right for Croydon will not be for Cumbria."