The UK government said on Monday it was ending funding for some aid programs in rebel-held areas of Syria. "As the situation on the ground in some regions has become increasingly difficult, we have reduced support for some of our non-humanitarian programming, but continue to deliver vital support to help those most in need and to improve security and stability in the country," a UK government spokeswoman told Reuters in an emailed statement. The Times newspaper had earlier reported that the attempt to create an independent police force would be scrapped from September, while projects funding local councils were being reviewed and would likely be halted by the end of the financial year. The report added that the Foreign Office and Department for International Development had determined the aid programs in the northwestern parts of Syria to be "unsustainable". The UK government said it had spent 152 million pounds ($193.85 million) on humanitarian programs in Syria for the financial year 2017-2018. Britain had increased its aid as well as supply of armored vehicles and training to Syrias opposition in 2013. Syrias northwest is the last major region still held by rebels.