Category Archives: ukcuts

‘Bedroom tax’ may force disabled woman to move house

July 2, 2013   Carers, disability, ukcuts

Lisa Evans and her daughter Vicki at the home they fear they will have to leave because of the bedroom tax

9:46am Tuesday 2nd July 2013 in News  By Mark Stead, Political Reporter

Lisa Evans and her daughter Vicki at the home they fear they will have to leave because of the bedroom tax

A MOTHER and her disabled daughter are living in fear of being torn away from the community they love – because of the so-called bedroom tax.

Lisa Evans, of Kelfield, between York and Selby, has seen her weekly housing costs quadruple since the introduction of the Government’s levy on extra rooms earlier this year, and says she may now have to leave her home of 17 years.

The 48-year-old is the main carer for her 25-year-old daughter Vicky, who is confined to a wheelchair after an operation on her heart as a baby left her with brain damage.

Lisa has been told she must pay the tax for at least two of the three small bedrooms at her house. She has applied to Selby District Council for discretionary support, but even if she succeeds, this will only be a temporary measure.

Lisa said she has been told she and Vicky could potentially move to a smaller bungalow, but has been given no indication where.

A grant paid for a two-bedroom extension 11 years ago at their home, which has en-suite facilities and specialist equipment for Vicky and a room for a carer.

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“This is Vicky’s home – she is part of the community and around people who know her and help her,” said Lisa, who works part-time and whose previous weekly housing costs have risen from £12 to £50.

“If we were to be moved, where would we go? We have no idea where it would be and whether we would have any equipment or transport for Vicky. We would be going to nothing and I feel I wouldn’t be able to support my daughter any more.

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Comment: Don’t pay MPs a penny more

July 1, 2013   Carers, ukcuts

If they live like the rich they will have the concerns of the rich.

Monday, 1 July 2013 8:56 AM By

Although it can never be said in public, there is a consensus in professional circles. MPs, we are told, need to be paid more.

It is considered one of the great political unsayables: a truth recognised in private which can never be uttered in public, like drug law reform or an amnesty for illegal immigrants. This is not confined just to the political class. You find this view among many professionals and businesspeople. It is common among that most select and self-serving of groups: people who are paid a lot of money.

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Older people miss out on support under new rules

June 29, 2013   Carers, Older care, Social care, ukcuts

28 June 2013 Last updated at 19:22

Social care rules aim to end ‘postcode lottery’

 Local councils provide home help services and assess who they will fund

The government is attempting to end the “postcode lottery” over care for elderly and disabled people in England.

Under new draft rules all councils in England would have to fund services for those judged to have “substantial” needs, from 2015.

Charities say that threshold is too high and would exclude many people who need help with everyday tasks.

And councils say they want assurances that any extra costs incurred will be fully funded.

Local authorities run social care services, such as home help with washing, eating and dressing or residential care, and decide who they will provide them to and whether they will pay for them.

Little consistencyCouncils can assess people as having “critical”, “substantial”, “moderate” or “low” needs. Only four councils provide care for people in all four categories – 16 councils fund those with “moderate” needs while most, 130, only fund those with “substantial” or “critical” needs.

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