Public spending reductions where keenly felt in Oxford over the coming decade as anywhere else across England. In turn, Oxford City Council pulled a significant unrestricted annual grant to Aspire which amounted to approximately 50% of its total annual income, at a time where demand for employment support was increasing. While this funding cut was tapered over a three year period (2012-15) to reduce to zero, it presented an existential threat to Aspire. The message was clear; Aspire needed to adapt to survive or risk closure.