Sir, – It is a sad reflection of the crippling cuts which the Coalition is imposing on local government that North Yorkshire County Council has agreed to cut the Local Assistance Fund by 25 per cent for the coming year. This will undoubtedly hurt the most needy within our communities.

The fund is designed to support individuals and families who are struggling to maintain any sort of basic life and helps with both food and white goods where the need is greatest. Despite not being recognised by the government, food banks are becoming an important part of many people's lives from the perspective of surviving in this harsh economic climate.

Food banks across North Yorkshire have seen growing demand and therefore the reduction of this fund can only mean increasing pressure on what are charitable organisations with no government funding run by volunteers.

It seems we are destined to continue the policy of key support services being pushed out to charities and community groups to maintain while the government relentlessly pulls apart basic service necessities within our communities to the detriment of everyone, but in particular the poor and vulnerable.

DAVID A KERFOOT MBE

Chairman, Hambleton Foodshare.