Author Archives: wendy

Affordable homes facing demolition because of bedroom tax

November 10, 2013   Carers, disability

Housing associations say change to benefit rules means tenants cannot afford to rent three-bed maisonettes

Rachel Reeves

Shadow work and pensions secretary Rachel Reeves says 660,000 vulnerable households are being hit by the bedroom tax. Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the Observer

Three-bedroom homes are being condemned to demolition by housing associations because the coalition’s bedroom tax has made them too expensive for tenants to live in, the Observer can reveal.

Despite a national property shortage, providers of affordable homes are unable to find people who can meet the cost of living in a home with an extra bedroom and are, in some cases, planning demolitions. In Liverpool, one housing provider, Magenta Living, has admitted that “with changes to welfare benefits there is very little prospect of letting upper three-bedroom maisonettes in the current climate”.

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‘Happiness is more important than a long life’

November 9, 2013   Carers, Older care

Judge rules that pensioner who ‘hates’ her care home can return to her house – even though it might cut her life short

  • High Court Judge says: ‘Long life isn’t always justified at cost of happiness’
  • He ruled woman can go back to home shared with partner for 30 years
  • Even though ‘she may die as result of sudden deterioration in condition’
  • Unnamed woman has severe diabetes and requires 24 hour care

By Amanda Williams

PUBLISHED: 14:07, 8 November 2013 | UPDATED: 02:00, 9 November 2013

A woman confined to a care home on the orders of a court has been freed to return home – even if the move costs her her life.

The 67-year-old – identified only as M – has mild mental impairment and life-threatening diabetes.

She will be allowed to live in her bungalow, cared for by her partner of 30 years, and  visiting nurses and social workers.

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Should carers get a full-time salary for their efforts?

November 7, 2013   Carers, Uncategorized
Published date: 07 November 2013 |

Published by: Rhian Waller 

IT’S National Carers Rights Day on November 29.

Many Flintshire and Wrexham carers contacted the Leader to mark the day, which aims to promote the rights of people undertaking care duties.

But as more and more people contacted the paper, it became apparent many carers fear they are viewed as “scroungers” putting a financial drain on the state.

Now they aim to set the record straight.

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