Cuts threaten independent living

Sunil Peck

The coalition government's cuts to the welfare system could set independent living back 30 years, a report from the UK Disabled People's Council (UKDPC) has found.

This summer, UKDPC asked 300 disabled people's organisations (DPOs) for their views on how cuts to Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Housing Benefit and Incapacity Benefit could hit disabled people.

The report found that 90 per cent of DPOs feared that cuts would have a negative impact on disabled people and could force many into poverty or residential care.

It also found that DPOs feared that cuts would leave them without the funding to deal with an anticipated increase in demand for benefits advice; that people with hidden or fluctuating impairments will be assessed as ineligible for Incapacity Benefit because they can sit or stand for short periods - even though they are unable to stay awake for long; that the loss of DLA could leave disabled people unable to afford vital equipment or care and that disabled people will become homeless because they will be unable to afford accessible housing.

The report also warns that independent Disabled people will become an "endangered group" if the leaked documents declaring the planned closure of the Independent Living Fund are true.

Jaspal Dhani (pictured), CEO of UKDPC, urged the coalition government to take heed of disabled people's concerns.

He said: "Our findings show that regressive government policies seriously undermine the rights of disabled people and the UN Convention on the Rights of Disabled People."

He urged the government to consult disabled people on the cuts and hold frequent reviews of their impact, particularly on black and ethnic minority users.

He also said that DPOs needed funding to support disabled people to apply for benefits which he said would reduce administrative costs for local authorities because it would mean that applicants would make fewer mistakes when filling in the application forms.

*To download the report 'benefit reform proposals by the coalition government' visit

ukdpc.net/library/UKDPC%20Report%20on%20Benefit%20Reform%20Proposals%20by%20the%20Coalition%20Government1.pdf