When this cut is introduced in 2012, it will affect up to 80,000 people living in residential care homes throughout the country and will save the exchequer £160m – a relatively small saving given their overall programme of spending cuts. However, the true impact that this decision will have on those in residential care will be far from small; rather, it will cause great hardship for thousands of disabled people that are dependent on their DLA mobility to fund their personal transport costs and, without it, will be left with as little as £22 a week on which to live. Make no mistake, the warning that this cut will effectively leave disabled people prisoners in their own home is not an exaggeration.
The government justifies this decision by claiming that local authorities already have the responsibility to fund the mobility needs of residents in care, yet this claim can seldom be traced in the financial breakdown of social care plans. Further, where a local authority does fund mobility costs, it will only factor in the very specific transport needs of that individual, such as a visit to the doctors, the dentist or to a local public service, like a bank. There is no consideration given to the rights of these residents to make personal trips to visit family and friends, attend their local church or engage in leisure activities as and when they choose to do so – something the vast majority of us simply take for granted.
When Labour was in government, we worked hard to ensure that the principles of independence, choice and control guided our decisions when making policy that impacted upon the lives of disabled people. However, this crude cut marks – in the words of Disability Alliance – a ‘regressive step’ for disabled people, and runs counter to the three key principles we sought to normalise in disability legislation in the United Kingdom.
The response of the prime minister at PMQs has particularly angered the disability movement. Twice, he has committed the same mistake by comparing those who receive care in our hospitals with those who live in residential care homes, and has gone on to assert that mobility funding for the latter should be realigned to mirror those cared for in our hospitals. It is utterly wrong and misguided for him to do so; people in hospital are ill, those in residential care homes are not and government decisions that shape the care needs of these two groups must be treated separately.
The government has been found wanting on this policy; at best, it looks like they have made a careless oversight based on flawed research and, at worst, it looks like a true return to the nasty party of old. Inundated with letters and emails from angry constituents, it would seem that their own backbenchers are slowly waking up to the real human impact this cut will have on some of the most vulnerable in our society, and they are rightly growing increasingly uncomfortable at the prospect of having to support this decision when it comes to a vote in the Commons.
Labour has joined forces with charities, disabled people and their families to staunchly oppose this cut. I hope those on the government benches with any level of compassion and understanding behind the distress this cut will cause, will join us in doing so.
Read Margaret’s frontbench colleague Rachel Reeves’ call to sign the petition defending women from an unfair acceleration in the equalisation of the state pension age
“Labour has joined forces with charities, disabled people and their families to staunchly oppose this cut…” AND this is not the only disatrous cut they are proposing – they also want to “Reform” (ie. abolish) Disability Living Allowance altogether and cut 20% of the “caseload” (ie. human beings in need of this help) Please can anyone reading this go and sign the petition which asks for a halt to the skewed Consultation about these proposals. Here – http://www.petitiononline.co.uk/petition/petition-the-minister-for-disabled-people-to-recall-the-public-consultation-on-dla-reform/569/c8512b4d876d6cf76157883125f63386 they must not be allowed to get away with this
Taking DLA mobility money away from people in residential care was first announced in parliament about 3 months ago as part of the statement on cuts and it is also in the DLA consultation document. This is the first time I have seen a Labour Party statement on it and the consultation period has almost expired. I too am unsure whether David Cameron and his ministers are lying in their statements, very badly advised or confused. Surely it is obvious there is no comparison between hospital care and long-term residential care.
The mobility component of DLA is essential for people who are entitled to it irrespective where they live but it is very important for those who reside in group homes. People will become imprisoned unless they receive what they are entitled to. The budget for providing group homes is very specific and there is nothing for transport – carers should NOT be expected to incorporate this extra cost from thier own pockets! Quality of life is important to ALL.
God how Labour seem to forget let me remind those in labour. Gordon Brown I think DLA is a wasted benefits I think stopping it will save £97 billion, we can then take £600 million and help care for the most disabled. Does that sound like you were interested in the welfare. Lets me remind you oh OK we will not let DLA stop as Gordon brown made a massive u turn, and now he said I think those people over retirement age should not get DLA. Seems the memory of new labour has problems
Labour has joined forces with charities, disabled people and their families to staunchly oppose this cut. I hope those on the government benches with any level of compassion and understanding behind the distress this cut will cause, will join us in doing so. ——————————————————————————– So Miliband saying he backing the Tories is wrong then, I was in Cardiff at the Assembly when he stated he backed the majority of the Tories welfare changes except the bit about stopping benefits after two years. God almight what you have found out the voters are leaving, so you like to try and get us back