Charity claims government has turned its back on disabled

DISABLED people in Wales stand to lose out on more than £260m thanks to welfare cuts, a charity warned last night.

And it accused the coalition Government in Westminster of ignoring the welfare of society's most vulnerable.

A report for the charity Scope put the cost of the forthcoming welfare reforms to disabled people in Wales at £262m over the next five years.

The charity has written to AMs saying the proposed reforms will have a disproportionate effect on disabled people and will not deliver on the Westminster Government's promise to ensure cuts are fair and evenly distributed.
Click here to find out more!

Labour AM Ann Jones said the UK Government has "turned its back" on disabled people by failing to test reforms against a "robust" disability impact assessment. She has tabled a statement of opinion calling on the UK Government to carry out such an assessment.

Mrs Jones said: "It is simply wrong that disabled people should be hit in such a disproportionate way.

"This week's Comprehensive Spending Review represents an irresponsible and reckless move away from our journey towards equality and acts as a kick in the teeth to the carers that save our economy countless millions each year.

"Before the recession hit, it was the case that disabled people and their families were around three times more likely to live in poverty and today's news can only serve to create greater inequality and division in our society."

The UK coalition Government has proposed radical reforms of the current benefits system, including creating a single payment to replace all out-of-work benefits, tax credits and other payments and introducing a cap on how much each household can claim from the state in benefits.

Chancellor George Osborne said the measures will cut the UK welfare bill by £7bn a year.

But the report for Scope states: "Disabled people are particularly vulnerable to cuts in services and benefits – they are disproportionately reliant on health, social care, housing and transport services, and also, as a result of low employment rates and the extra costs of living with an impairment, more likely to live in poverty and/or rely on benefits for a large proportion of their incomes."

Suzanne Jones, director of Scope Cymru, said: "We have been concerned about the impact these cuts will have on disabled people and their families.

"Benefits are not optional extras – they are vital lifelines to help disabled people participate in our society. Without them hundreds of thousands of disabled people will be forced into a cycle of long-term unemployment, poverty and social exclusion."

Minister for Employment Chris Grayling said: "We know that many of the people trapped on incapacity benefits could and do want to work, but the current system doesn't allow them to.

"That's why we'll be reassessing everyone claiming incapacity benefits.

"The new Work Programme, which will come on stream next year, will ensure that everyone who can work will get the help and support they need.

"Those found too sick or disabled to work won't be expected to, and will continue to receive the help and support they need."

Wales Online

Posted via email from Editor's posterous