HUGE funding cuts being considered today by Isle of Wight council chiefs could leave the disabled and to fend for themselves.

The National Housing Federation is warning a major £2.7m cut to the council's "supporting people" programme will have a "dire impact" on many residents and put hundreds of jobs at risk.

It says support services aimed at some of the island's most vulnerable people, including those with learning disabilities and mental health problems, would be worst affected by the spending cuts. Some help services may cease altogether this summer.

Simon Nunn from the National Housing Federation said: "We urge councillors to think more carefully before making these cuts as a knee jerk reaction that could have a devastating impact on some of the island's most vulnerable people."

He added "Isle of Wight Council is set to receive £5.5 million from central Government for supporting people next year but are only proposing to spend just over a half of that on these vital support services. They should account for how they are spending the whole sum and why all of it is not going towards providing services for the most vulnerable people in society."

The full council meets today to set its annual budget.