A petition against cuts to the voluntary sector will be presented to councillors this week.

Harrow Borough Council announced a cut to the funding it provides to the voluntary sector in its draft budget.

During the past three months the Harrow Times has reported on concerns from groups within the sector about the impact of the possible cuts on vulnerable people in the borough.

A petition opposed to the cuts has received nearly 2,000 signatures, and will be presented to Harrow Council cabinet tomorrow.

Jacqueline Hooper, who started a petition and is a Mind in Harrow user group representative, said: “When I first heard about the cuts to the voluntary sector I was shocked and I wanted to do something.

“All the voluntary groups in the borough do such fantastic work and they help so many people.

“I think nearly 2,000 signatures shows people’s strength of feeling about cuts. A lot of people are quite angry.

“The voluntary sector is such a necessity for the community and it provides preventative care which helps ease pressures on other services like the NHS.

“If the sector is cut any more then it will have a huge impact on a lot of vulnerable people in the borough who have nowhere to turn.”

The Harrow Times has contacted the council about the petition and is awaiting a reply.

The council cabinet is set to discuss the Labour administration’s draft budget tomorrow evening, which includes the proposed cut to the sector.

If approved, the draft budget will go out for consultation before going being considered by full council in February next year.

Those interested in finding out more about the petition can do so by clicking here.