REMOVAL OF MOBILITY ALLOWANCE BRANDED CRUELLEST CUT

Responding to welfare reforms within the CSR, SNP Work and Pensions spokesperson Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP has branded the removal of the mobility component of disability living allowance (DLA) from people living in residential care as one of the coalition's cruellest cuts.

At the moment the component is paid at two levels, lower at £18.95 or higher at £49.85 per week. Higher rate mobility component can, currently, be used for disabled individuals to hire or lease a mobility car at an affordable price.

Dr Whiteford said:

"Removal of the mobility component of disability living allowance from people in residential care is one of the cruellest cuts within the CSR, and one which will hit disabled people specifically.

"We are talking about a lifeline payment which gives people, including children at residential special schools, some independence.

"Few residential facilities provide free transport, and the component is used so that, for example, disabled people can get a taxi for essential hospital appointments, go shopping, or even just meet friends and take part in activities in their community.

"Removing this allowance is a hammer blow to people's independence as well as their pockets. It will effectively mean some people can no longer get out and about and will be confined to their residential care home.

"George Osborne needs to say whether disabled people in residential homes will now have to hand back the keys of their motability cars.

"Nobody doubts that welfare reform is necessary, but this cut by the Tories and Liberal Democrats is totally unfair and will impact on the lives of the most vulnerable in society."