Disabled fearful of income loss, campaigners say

Eight-in-10 people claim losing their disability living allowance (DLA) will drive them into isolation, a coalition of 90 disabled people’s groups says.

In a survey of more than 4,500 UK disabled people, the Hardest Hit campaign found nine in 10 fear the DLA loss will be bad for their health.

The DLA is to be replaced in 2013 by the personal independence payment.

The government said money was too often wasted on overpayments where people’s conditions have changed.

At Prime Minister’s Questions last week, David Cameron spoke of the plan to give more money to “severely disabled children” and a lower amount for less disabled people, which “showed the right values and the right approach”.

Grandparents who become full-time carers plead: ‘We can’t do it all for love’

Public backs support for relatives who must care for children

One night earlier this year Stephen Merchant, 55, was contacted by his local council’s children’s services department. Twelve hours later, he was the full-time carer for his grandson, Charlie, who will be three years old on Wednesday. “Life changes in a phone call,” says Merchant, who comes from Northampton.

He had to give up his job as a driver. “My employers offered a baby seat in the lorry,” he jokes, “but Charlie comes first.” Charlie was taken from Merchant’s son and girlfriend when it was found that the baby had fractures. “I was the only one in the family who could change lifestyles at the time,” he says. The two now live on around £250 a week, or £12,000 a year. “I’m not flush, but I can survive. The family help. I’ve got bags of clothes for Charlie that will keep him in trousers until he’s five. He’s happy at nursery. Charlie’s great. He’s part and parcel of my life now.”

Family’s fears over budget cuts to carers

Family’s fears over budget cuts to carers

Glen Padley (pictured left) with his sister Gillian Webster and her partner Ron Sawyer who fear Glen will be forced into a home if his budget is cut.Glen Padley (pictured left) with his sister Gillian Webster and her partner Ron Sawyer who fear Glen will be forced into a home if his budget is cut.
Published on Sunday 21 October 2012 07:00

A carer fears she will be unable to continue looking after her mentally disabled brother due to budget cuts, which may force him into a home.

Gillian Webster has been caring for her 47-year-old brother Glen Padley for the past two years in Skegness with funding from Sheffield County Council – where Glen used to live with their father until his death.

With Glen’s care budget transferring to Lincolnshire County Council in November, Gillian claims the money will be cut leaving her unable to afford the additional help she requires to keep Glen out of a home and in the community.

She said: “I think it’s disgusting, they’re just passing him around like a parcel.