People with disabilities are being left to live in uncertainty because of Government indecision, Wrexham MP Ian Lucas has told a Parliamentary debate.
MPs debated the future of the Independent Living Fund today in Westminster Hall. The debate, secured by Labour MP Nic Dakin, focussed on the Government’s plans for the future of the fund. Designed to help people with disabilities live independent lives in their communities, the fund was set up in 1988.
Since taking power in 2010, the Government has closed the fund to new applicants. Instead, it is aiming to pass the administration of the fund on to other organisations, including the Welsh Government and local councils. However, campaigners believe that the Government’s proposals – and the way that services are being transferred – will leave people who previously received the fund with the barest minimum of support, and that many people would lose the ability to live independently the fund currently provides.
During the debate, Mr Lucas told MPs that his constituents had real concerns about what would happen ever since the Government closed the fund – but that a lack of clarity from Ministers meant they had been living with those worries for the last four years.
He also tackled the Minister of State for Disabled People, Mike Penning, and asked him to explain how people who were on a replacement scheme and people who currently receive ILF could be confident that they would receive the same levels of help.
Mr Lucas asked: “Does the Minister agree that because new entrants since 2010 will come within the scheme, and the budget that he transfers will be the same as it is now, inevitably people who are now receiving money from the ILF will have their income reduced?”
The Minster denied this would be the case and told Mr Lucas they would “have to agree to disagree.”
Speaking afterwards, Mr Lucas said: “People living independent lives in Wrexham thanks to the ILF are very worried about what will happen when the fund closes.
“The Government is passing the buck on to local authorities and devolved administrations despite having cut back the money they receive drastically – which leaves people with very real concerns, whatever Government Ministers may say.”
