COUNCIL bosses have reacted with alarm after a local NHS body announced it would be cutting its funding for social care.

The Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven clinical commissioning group (CCG), which plans health services, has decided to cut £822,000 from the money it gives to the council to provide care to vulnerable people in its area.

The money comes from the Better Care Fund - Government cash intended to get health and care systems working more closely together.

Council bosses have warned the decision will leave less support for people leaving Airedale Hospital, and now fear the Bradford City and Bradford Districts CCGs could be planning similar cuts.

Council leader Councillor David Green said: "This cut is a false economy that will increase, not reduce, financial pressures on health services."

But a spokesman for the Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven CCG said the planned cuts were now being reconsidered.

She said: "The NHS has to make savings of £30 billion over the next five years.

"As a result, the CCG is reviewing all of its current expenditure and developing proposals to ensure best value of the taxpayers’ money to deliver high quality services to our population.

"The £822,000, which is to protect social services, is over and above what we pay into the Better Care Fund and the proposal is being reconsidered following the information we have received from the council."