The Church of Scotland has urged Glasgow City Council to scrap “reckless” proposals to withdraw funding from advice centres.

A reduction in grants from the city council’s Communities Fund could force the closure of seven advice centres across the city.

The Presbytery of Glasgow said it was ‘incomprehensible’ to reduce service provision during a health crisis which has already resulted in job losses and plunging people deeper into poverty and despair.

It said the proposals had caused worry and anxiety and urged city councillors to take into consideration the views of people who rely on law and Citizens Advice centres before making a final decision to cut off funding.

Following public outcry over the plans, Glasgow City Council announced a £4m transitional fund to help some third sector organisations but the Church says that while the ‘temporary lifeline’ was welcome, it would not make up for the funding cuts.

In a letter to Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council, George Kelly, convener of the Presbytery’s community responsibility committee, wrote: “At a time when an increasing number of vulnerable and disadvantaged people are in need of the invaluable support provided locally by such organisations, it seems incomprehensible that their survival could be threatened without any engagement or consultation with the communities that these groups serve.

“The proposed withdrawal or reduction of funding could potentially affect many groups which are widely respected and have a long and successful track record in working with people who struggle against poverty.”