LOCAL councils are being forced to cut social care because of the impact of NHS deficits, claims South Cheshire MP Stephen O'Brien.

The Eddisbury MP says the financial shortfall could hit the elderly and vulnerable as councils do not have the funds to cope.

Mr O'Brien expressed his concerns following findings in a new report which was issued by the NHS Confederation and the Local Government Association.

In the nationwide survey, seven out of ten local authorities are withdrawing services because of cuts in spending from NHS Trusts.

Many NHS organisations have stopped funding joint projects and referred patients on to social services, which would normally be dealt with by hospitals.

In turn, councils are being forced to reduce provision for low-level care needs, increase waiting times and cut funding from other budgets like leisure or transport.

These funding pressures could also feed through to higher council tax bills next year.

Mr O'Brien said: "Despite the hard work of public sector workers, financial mismanagement by ministers in Whitehall is leading to cuts in frontline services.

"Across the country, local hospitals are having to sack staff and cancel operations because their budgets are in the red.

"But worse, these NHS cuts are now hitting local councils, since health and social services are so closely linked.

"Elderly and vulnerable people are suffering as hospitals cut care provision, and councils do not have the funds to cope.

"To expect council tax payers to bail out the NHS is unfair."