Supporting People settlement announced

Her comments followed the announcement of a £4.9b settlement for the next three years. That breaks down to £1.7b next year and 2009/10 and £1.6b the following year.

The programme allows over one million people to live independently in their own accommodation.

The announcement marks a big reform aimed at improving the evidence for distributing the funding to councils - incorporating more up-to-date data and population predictions.

Baroness Andrews said: "The funding announced today will allow councils to continue helping over a million vulnerable people each year to live independently and break the cycle of deprivation and exclusion. Improving the distribution based on need and providing greater certainty and flexibility will make this funding more effective."

The programme supports over 800,000 older people, 40,000 homeless people, 36,000 people with mental health problems and 8,000 women at risk of domestic violence at any one time.

Jeremy Porteus, National Programme Lead of CSIP Networks said: "The stability the three year funding at these levels will provide is very welcome. Now it is up to local authorities and third sector organisations to deliver on it."