Iain Duncan Smith warned that cuts would reduce ability to lead independent lives and hurt children particularly badly
Ministers have been told by their own social security advisers to abandon plans to cut �160m of mobility payments to disabled people ? because the move would reduce their ability to lead independent lives.
A new report by the independent social security advisory committee, which is appointed by ministers, will pile more pressure on the work and pensions secretary, Iain Duncan Smith, to scrap the controversial proposals affecting about 80,000 disabled people in residential homes.
Disabled groups have already launched protests against the move, which they say will "imprison" disabled adults and children in residential homes, limiting their ability to mix in communities and see their families. The intervention by the committee, whose role is to offer ministers independent advice on proposed changes, gives a huge boost to their campaign.
In a report obtained by the Observer the committee says: "We consider that the proposal to remove the mobility component from people in residential care should not go ahead.
"This measure will substantially reduce the independence of disabled people who are being cared for in residential accommodation, which goes against the stated aim of the reform of DLA [the disability living allowance] to support 'disabled people to lead independent and active lives'."
About 80,000 people in residential care homes receive mobility support as part of the allowance, including children in special needs schools. However, ministers intend to end the payments, leaving it to individual care homes, local councils and the families of disabled people to provide help instead. On average, people eligible for the mobility component of DLA receive about �2,000 a year (�38 a week). The money helps with the costs of wheelchairs, taxis and other transport ? and in many cases for relatives to make regular visits.
In its report, the committee says that disabled people face considerable extra transport costs because of their conditions. In addition they need extra help "to overcome mobility and communication difficulties".
Neil Coyle, director of policy at the Disability Alliance, said ministers now had to drop "ill-thought-through" plans that would have a particularly damaging effect on disabled children. "Cuts to disabled people living in care homes are the most vicious. They will prevent some families from seeing loved ones ? including children in residential special educational needs settings.
"The potential impact of the cut is especially difficult to accept for families of disabled children. Families with no other means deserve the support to be able to see disabled children as often as possible. Cutting DLA support would be a further blight on families of disabled children ? who are already more likely to live in poverty."
Coyle added: "Disabled people who pay for their own care home will remain entitled to the benefit. This means disabled people with the least will suffer the most, contradicting government statements on fairness and ensuring the most disadvantaged are protected from cuts."
The Department for Work and Pensions said: "The government has already said it will stay a non-means-tested cash benefit. We need to reform DLA to ensure the �12bn we spend on it makes the most difference and that people can rely on it for years to come. We are working with disabled people and disability groups on the reforms and will respond to the public consultation shortly."
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/feb/26/cut-mobility-payments-disabled-people
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