Opinion Former comment: Livability - how funding cuts are affecting the most vulnerable

Monday, 6 June 2011 12:00 AM

Opinion Former Comment:As a leading disability charity, Livability is concerned by the sweeping funding cuts the Government is putting in place. Our main worry is that the cuts seem to be having a disproportionate impact on disabled people and other disadvantaged groups in our society.

With the removal of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA), and the reform of the benefits system in general, many disabled people are seeing their quality of life and independence threatened.

Livability provides care and support services for many disabled people in the UK and our service users and their families are telling us that they worry about the future. They cannot understand why they are targeted when the Government initially promised that the most vulnerable would not suffer as a consequence of budget restrictions.

Disabled people rely on financial help such as the DLA not just to fund basic care but also to go out and about and become an integral part of their local community.

Disabled people are already some of the most disadvantaged in our society: 60% of disabled people in the UK live below the poverty line and many struggle to access education and work.

The current funding cuts threaten the ability of disabled people to live the fulfilling life they deserve. We need to ensure that they can access the right education, support and care and this will not happen if funding is withdrawn or reduced.

The Government wants charity and third sector providers to take a greater part in providing services but they won't be able to do so without adequate funding.

Livability urges the Government to do more to ensure that the burden does not fall so heavily on the poorest and most vulnerable and reconsider some of the drastic cuts.

Dave Webber , Director of operations at Livability

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