Watchdog for equality faces cuts after 'wasting taxpayers' money'

Britain's equality watchdog was today accused by the Government of squandering public money as it emerged that its funding is to be slashed by nearly 60 per cent.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission, chaired by Trevor Phillips, is expected to lose more than half of its 460 staff. Much of its support for charities and projects will also have to be stopped.Supporters say the cost-cutting drive will leave the organisation so "shrivelled" that it will barely be able to carry out its duties.

The Government Equalities Office rejected the criticism and said the commission, which has been mired in controversy since being set up in 2007, "has not been careful enough with taxpayers' money". Its annual budget, already cut from £60million to £53million, will fall to about £22.5million by the next election.