Category Archives: disability

Hundreds of pensioners and disabled people will descend on Westminster today

March 6, 2012   Carers, charities, disability, Older care

Only the elderly with £100,000 in assets ‘should pay for care home fees’ argue campaigners ahead of mass rally

By Daniel Martin

 

No family should be forced to dip into their savings to pay for care in old age if their assets fall below £100,000, campaigners will argue today in a mass rally at Parliament.

At present, anyone with assets of more than £23,250 has to pay for residential care costs – forcing thousands to sell their homes.

Now Age UK is calling for this means-test level to be raised to £100,000, allowing thrifty pensioners to safeguard their homes and pass on more to their children.

Helping the aged: Thrifty pensioners would be able to safeguard their homes and pass on more to their children if the means-test level was raised.
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Joint letter to Andrew Lansley on reform of care funding

March 5, 2012   Carers, disability

An alliance of charities, care homes and housing providers says the government must not duck its commitment to reform

Dear Secretary of State,

On Tuesday 6th March, hundreds of older and disabled people, their families and carers will travel to Westminster with the same message for Parliament: we must end the crisis in our social care system.

They will speak for the millions of individuals and families we represent who are in desperate need of care and either going without or receiving inadequate support.

Years of underfunding, combined with rising demand have resulted in a social care system that is in crisis: an unfair and confusing postcode lottery which is now facing additional cuts. This is a challenge which successive Governments have failed to overcome – but we cannot wait any longer.

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Disabled people must not be put at risk

March 1, 2012   Carers, cerebral palsy, deaf/blind, disability, stigma

Rights of disabled people may be at risk, says Human Rights Committee

 

01 March 2012

The Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) today publishes its Report on the implementation of the right of disabled people to independent living in the context of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) which was ratified by the UK in 2009.

 

 

The Report draws attention to a number of significant human rights issues, including:

  • the need for freestanding legislation to protect the right to independent living in UK law
  • the effect of current reforms to benefits and services on the ability of disabled people to enjoy independent living
  • the role played by the UNCRPD in policy development and decision making at all levels of government
  • the use of equality impact assessments
  • the effects of devolution on implementation of the UNCRPD
  • hate crime
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