Miller res care U-turn could mean cuts

Sunil Peck

The Government’s U-turn on withdrawing the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for people in residential care could mean other claimants losing out, campaigners have warned.

In October 2010, the Government announced plans to cut the mobility component of DLA for people in residential care on the grounds that transport costs were already covered by local authorities.

But following a campaign waged by disabled people and peers, and an indepen­dent review by Lord Low of Dalston which found that the DLA mobility component gave people in care homes independence, the Government has announced that people in residential care can still claim the mobility component of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) when it replaces DLA in 2013.

Wendy Tiffin, who lives in a Leonard Cheshire care home and was part of the steering group for Lord Low’s review, said: “This is a big success for disabled people like myself who live in a care home.

“It means that we are able to continue to have some independence, whether this means going to a day centre or to the shops. We will not be tied to staying indoors for the rest of our lives.”

The minister for disabled people Maria Miller said there were still cases of overlaps in funding but added: “I have always been clear that I wouldn’t make any change that would stop disabled people from getting out and about, which is why, after listening to the strong concerns of disabled people and their organizations, I have taken action and decided not to remove the payment.”

Lord Low commended the Government on listening to the evidence but worried whether “this is going to be the limit of the concessions that Government will make.

“There are a number of other things that we’re concerned about in the Welfare Reform Bill like the time-limiting of contributory Employment and Support Allowance to one year, instituting a longer qualification period before a person can claim PIPs, and only having two levels of the daily living component instead of three levels of the care component of DLA, which puts people with lower needs at risk.”

He also said that any attempt to claw back £160 million by cuts elsewhere would “undo the gain that has been made”.

Baroness Campbell of Surbiton (above right, lower) said that she was “very pleased” that a plan that would have contra­vened a person’s human right to family life would not be introduced, but said that she was worried that other claimants might see payments cut as a result.

She said: “I think that tougher battles are ahead. Once the Government has given way on something, it can say that times are hard and that disabled people want too much and are not being realistic.”

The Government has said that the changes will be paid for through its programme of welfare reform.