One of the pioneers of the independent living movement has warned the government that its decision to shut the Independent Living Fund (ILF) in 2015 could force thousands of disabled people out of their homes and into residential care. John Evans […]
News Archive
Burstow appears clueless on vital ILF consultation
The minister for care services has admitted “mis-speaking” after he appeared unaware that a fellow minister had already published the long-awaited consultation paper on the future of the Independent Living Fund (ILF). Maria Miller, minister for disabled people, said in the […]
Government refuses to research hate crime impact of special schools
The Department for Education (DfE) has rejected a key recommendation of the equality watchdog’s disability hate crime inquiry, which could have undermined the government’s anti-inclusion stance on the education of disabled children. Although most of the recommendations of the Equality and […]
Minister wants eight-year delay in new rights for disabled passengers
The government is seeking to delay major parts of a new European regulation that would have given powerful rights to disabled bus and coach passengers. The European Union regulation on bus and coach passenger rights is due to come into force […]
Double suicide draws further tragic attention to ‘fit for work’ test
The death of a young woman who killed herself after being found “fit for work” is the latest proof of the catastrophic consequences of the government’s cuts to disability benefits and services, say campaigners. The mother of the young woman – […]
Paupers’ picnic gives holidaying MPs something to chew on
Disabled activists have held a “paupers’ picnic” in the lobby of the Houses of Parliament, to draw MPs’ attention to cuts they say are leaving many disabled people without enough money to feed themselves properly. About 20 campaigners from the grassroots […]
London 2012: Transport access will be key to success of games, says powerlifter
The success of London 2012 will be judged on whether London’s transport system allows disabled people to travel easily to watch the events, according to one of Britain’s top Paralympic powerlifters. Ali Jawad spoke about the access problems of London’s transport […]
Disabled people set to be outnumbered on Paralympic torch relay
The opportunity to celebrate disabled people’s diversity has been “stolen” by organisers of the Paralympic torch relay according to a leading disabled people’s organisation. The UK Disabled People’s Council (UKDPC) spoke out after research by Disability News Service (DNS) showed disabled […]
Fears confirmed as government announces ILF will close in 2015
The government has finally confirmed that it wants to close the Independent Living Fund (ILF) entirely in 2015. A long-awaited consultation paper on the future of ILF was published the day after the government published its care and support white paper […]
Care and support white paper: Activists’ anger over funding failure
Disabled activists have reacted angrily to the government’s decision to delay reforming the funding of adult care and support. The Conservative health secretary, Andrew Lansley, said it was an “inescapable conclusion” that final decisions on funding the changes recommended by the […]