Charities and legal experts have warned that a High Court ruling against Birmingham City Council's plans to cut adult social care funding could have far-reaching consequences.

The local authority lost a legal case last week, which was brought by four disabled Birmingham residents, who were concerned that their care and support needs would not be met under the council's new plans. Mr Justice Walker said the local authority's budget-setting and decision to change its eligibility criteria were unlawful under equality rules. Polly Sweeney, a solicitor at the law firm, Irwin Mitchell, which represented one of the people who brought the case, said the decision had a national significance.