New cash “a drop in the ocean”

By John Pring

Campaigners have welcomed an extra £900,000 in government funding aimed at helping disabled people to live independently, but say the money is still “a drop in the ocean”.

The new cash, announced by care services minister Ivan Lewis, should help secure the future of up to 14 user-led organisations, which will become “action and learning sites”.

These “sites” will then help other user-led organisations to develop their long-term futures.

Last year, the government announced £750,000 funding for 12 user-led organisations under the same scheme, including Ealing Centre for Independent Living, Bath People First and Breakthrough UK in Manchester.

Disabled people’s minister Anne McGuire said: “I welcome the additional funding for user-led organisations which are so important in achieving independent living for disabled people.”

But Simone Aspis, parliamentary and campaigns worker for the United Kingdom’s Disabled People’s Council, said: “It is a drop in the ocean in regards to really supporting user-led organisations.

“It is all well and good giving short-term funding, but what is really needed in terms of developing disabled people’s organisations is much longer-term funding.”

And she said there were concerns that some of the funding could go to organisations led by carers, rather than disabled people, as they might be more likely to have the support and expertise necessary to make successful bids.
9 June, 2008