THOUSANDS of vulnerable people living in supported homes may be at risk due to government cuts, claims MP Conor McGinn.

He and fellow Labour MPs called a vote to halt Conservative plans to cut housing benefit support, which could affect 2,675 elderly and vulnerable people in his constituency of St Helens North.

Supported housing provides specialist care for groups including the elderly, the homeless, disabled people, veterans, people with mental health issues, young people leaving care and the victims of domestic violence.

McGinn claimed figures show that 156,000 supported homes are at risk of closure due to the chancellor’s cuts.

In Parliament, Labour called on George Osborne to exempt supported homes from benefit cuts and to consult with charities, councils and housing associations that provide them, however, Conservative MPs voted down Labour’s motion to protect them.

McGinn said: “These cuts will hit the most vulnerable in our community and shows just how out of touch the Tories are. That 2,675 supported homes will be put at risk in my constituency is simply unacceptable. We should be doing all we can to help those most vulnerable in society, not making life more difficult for them."