One in 10 disabled people left in debt for first time by cost-of-living crisis, says survey

One in ten disabled people say they have been left in debt for the first time because of the cost-of-living crisis, according to the results of a new survey.

The survey by disability charity Euan’s Guide also found that 50 per cent of respondents were concerned about their energy bills, while 51 per cent were worried about grocery bills, with 37 per cent concerned about vehicle costs.

Half (50 per cent) of those who responded to the survey said their participation in leisure and recreation had fallen, compared to just three per cent who said it had risen.

More than 6,000 people from across the UK responded to the survey, of whom 98 per cent self-identified as a disabled person.

One disabled respondent said: “I have told my husband to turn off my oxygen, my CPAP machine and my medical bed.

“We are putting at least £30 every other day on our electricity and gas and we just can’t cope or afford it. It really affects my mental health.”

Another said: “I use several machines dependent on electricity to help me function.

“It feels like the government are making it harder for me to be alive, and now I have anxiety to keep me company.”

A third respondent told Euan’s Guide: “I turned my central heating off last year due to the cost. We only had it on for an hour when absolutely shivering.

“We’ve cut back on everything yet are adding to our debt each month. How are families like us on benefits supposed to survive? It’s surviving not living.”

The survey also confirmed that the impact of the pandemic was still being felt, with nearly a third (31 per cent) of those who took part saying that they or someone they lived with was still taking Covid precautions when out in public.

Euan’s Guide was founded in 2013 by Euan MacDonald and his sister Kiki after he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease and encountered a lack of information about accessible bars in his home city of Edinburgh.

MacDonald (pictured), a powerchair-user, said: “It’s really saddening to see that disabled people are still being disproportionately affected by the cost-of-living crisis, with some even being forced to sell their homes to be able to survive.”

He added: “The survey results also tell us that disabled people need more disabled access information and that businesses don’t appreciate the importance of sharing their disabled access information.

“Businesses are undervaluing disabled people, in both social inclusion and spending power.”

The survey was supported by Motability Operations, with 94 per cent of respondents saying that a car was their main mode of transport.

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