Charity fury on disability living allowance cuts

Charities have warned that Government cuts to funds that help disabled people get around will take those affected “back to the dark ages”.

Proposals to scrap the mobility part of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for care home residents were revealed as part of the autumn’s Comprehensive Spending Review.

However the removal of the cash has been criticised by a group of 27 organisations representing disabled people, who say it is a myth that the benefit represents an overlap of public funds.

The Department for Work and Pensions said there may be situations where a resident is getting the benefit to pay for taxis while at the same time their care home or local authority is providing them with transport.

A spokesman said: “We want to tackle the discrepancies in the system to make sure DLA is fair and continues to help the people who need it most.”

But the disability groups argue the cuts will hit about 80,000 people and have now submitted a report entitled Don’t Limit Mobility to MPs and urged them to reconsider.

Mark Goldring, Mencap’s chief executive, said: “This report shows that the Government’s reason for cutting this funding is simply wrong.

“Care homes and local authorities don’t cover these costs, and with budgets being squeezed, how can they be expected to in the future?

“We strongly urge the government to reconsider the proposal to remove the mobility component of DLA.

“This money helps people living in residential care get the personal support they need to get out and take part in activities they enjoy and live a fulfilled life.

“Removing this benefit will take us back to the dark ages, essentially stripping people of control over their lives and leaving them stuck in residential care homes.”