Monthly Archives: February 2012
Cuts to disability benefits – the human cost
Monday 13 February 2012
The Courier speaks to disabled people in Warwickshire about their concerns over the Government’s benefits reforms.
The Coalition is pressing on with its reforms to the UK benefits system – and among those affected are the disabled.
Last week Warwickshire group Disabled People Against Cuts protested against the Welfare Reform Bill outside the office of Warwick and Leamington MP Chris White, who nonetheless voted in favour of the Bill.
Reporter Sundari Sankar spoke to two of Mr White’s disabled constituents, and asked Mr White to explain his decision.
Cuts in Norfolk were an “all-out assault” on disabled people’s living standards
Norfolk care services rallying cry
By Richard Wheeler Monday, February 13, 2012
10:04 AM
Care campaigners have been urged to keep “fighting, complaining and yelling” to stop services for thousands of vulnerable people being decimated by government cutbacks.
The proposal will see charges of £15 to £36 implemented per session at day centres, transport arrangements changing and staff numbers decreasing.
And opponents yesterday accused the ruling Conservatives of preparing to “put their hands up like sheep” to back the spending plans, despite hundreds of people across Norfolk voicing fears about the changes.
Ministers and MPs are calling on banks to improve services offered to carers
Looking after financial affairs of vulnerable relatives must become easier, say MPs
By Jo Thornhill and Richard Dyson
Last updated at 9:49 AM on 12th February 2012
Ministers and MPs are calling on banks to improve services offered to carers and those operating bank accounts on behalf of elderly or disabled relatives.
This follows the year-long campaign of carer Annie Dransfield whose case, featured in Financial Mail last February, was the subject of a debate in Parliament this month.
Her battle with Lloyds over access to her disabled son’s account (see below) highlighted the crucial roles played by banks in helping, or hindering, carers.
Wishes: John and Vanessa Ginty have set up a lasting power of attorney
In response to Annie’s story, a Treasury Minister promised Parliament that ‘we will monitor this issue in the context of improving access to banking and in the context of Government actions to support carers’.
It comes as the number of people caring for spouses, parents or other relatives nears six million. Many are having to manage finances on behalf of loved ones, triggering a rise in the number seeking guidance from banks.
