by Alex Wellman Recession hit job hunters in the borough will feel the pinch after Government chiefs slashed millions of pounds from an employment scheme. Brent Council is reeling after the Government reneged on a pledge in August 2008 to

by Alex Wellman

Recession hit job hunters in the borough will feel the pinch after Government chiefs slashed millions of pounds from an employment scheme.

Brent Council is reeling after the Government reneged on a pledge in August 2008 to hand out �8.2 million for the borough's Working Neighbourhood Fund (WNF) and instead gave just �4m.

Part of the money had been earmarked to support the council's employment programme Brent in2 Work, which has helped more than 4,000 residents find a job since it began six years ago.

Cllr Paul Lorber, Brent Council leader, said: "This is immensely disappointing for Brent residents.

"I'm worried that this will impact directly on Brent residents as economic conditions worsen."

Brent has been rated as having the fastest rising evidence of deprivation in the country and the council believe this decision means the projects will be forced to scale down at the most demanding time in their history.

A Department for Communities and Local Government spokesman said their criteria into awarding WNF had changed.

He added: "A consequence of these changes has been that Brent Council will no longer qualify for WNF.

"However, in recognition of the circumstances that led to this, Brent Council will next year receive �1.4m, 60 per cent of the full WNF they would have received."

alex.wellman@archant.co.uk