YORKSHIRE’S poorest residents are facing a growing postcode lottery over how much help they will receive in a crisis, a new report claimed today.

Research into the impact of welfare reforms on the region’s voluntary and community sector has shown clear variations in the approches taken by different councils.

The report says decisions on welfare have been devolved to a local level at a time when local authorities have been hit very hard by reductions in central government spending, and consequently face major decisions about competing needs and spending priorities.

It is therefore not surprising there is now greater variation than ever before in what kind of safety net residents can expect in troubled times, according to the Action Trackers report by Involve Yorkshire & Humber, an umbrella body for voluntary organisations and charities, which was unveiled at its annual meeting and lecture today at the University of York.

The report says: “For example, if you live in York and were previously exempt from paying council tax under the national scheme, you might now be asked to pay nearly a third of the full bill.

“However, the very same council is the only authority in the region to have increased spending on a newly localised hardship fund.”

The report says East Riding of Yorkshire Council allocated a similar budget, but most authorities set budgets between two and three per cent below the equivalent 2011/12 expenditure.

“Only six Yorkshire and Humber authorities are still providing loans as part of their localised welfare schemes.

“While all are offering grants, these differ between authorities, with 13 providing only grants in kind, such as vouchers or second hand furniture, while eight authorities provide non-repayable grants for provision of certain items.”

The report says charities are affected by the approach taken by their local council and the extent to which their cause attracts support and donations, and many were facing an increased demand for their services.

However, it claims charities and voluntary groups are still rising to the challenges created by reforms, and finding innovative ways to deliver services and meet increasing demand, even at a time of decreased resources.