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As new survey highlights impact of Government cuts on disabled people, further protests announced

1 September 2011

As new evidence revealed on 31st August by charity Papworth Trust showed that cuts could mean disabled people will not have enough money for everyday essentials like food, utilities and medication, the Disability Benefits Consortium (DBC) warned of a wave of protests across the UK as disabled people take to the streets.

Hayley Jordan, Co-Chair of the DBC Policy Group, stated: “This provides yet more evidence that disabled people feel that they are unfairly treated as an easy target for Government cuts. Unprecedented amounts of disabled people marched in London against the cuts in May this year, and we hope to see thousands more joining the protests in their local area in October, to ensure that the Government heeds our call to reconsider the harsh cuts to vital disability benefits.”

Survey says disabled people ‘unfairly penalised’

The Papworth Trust has published the findings of a survey of over 2,200 people into Government plans to plans to replace DLA with a new benefit called Personal Independence Payment (PIP). [1]

The survey highlighted that 77% of respondents felt that the Government is ‘penalising disabled people unfairly’, and over a third are worried that the new assessment will be unfair. If they were not eligible for the new benefit, respondents told the charity:

• 74% would not have enough money for everything they need;
• 64% would be less independent
• 59% would not have enough for basic household goods like food and drink; and
• 39% would not be able to purchase medication and therapies.

‘Hardest Hit’ Day of Action planned

The survey comes as disabled people, their families and friends prepare to join a series of protests in cities across the UK on October 22nd. The protests, organised by members of the Disability Benefits Consortium and the UK Disabled People’s Council, are part of the ‘Hardest Hit’ campaign, which saw the largest march by disabled people in living memory in London earlier this year. The protests will mark one year on from the Comprehensive Spending Review that revealed the Government’s intention to slash public spending.

WHEN: 22 October 2011

WHERE: Protests are planned across the UK, including Edinburgh, Cardiff, Leeds, Nottingham, Brighton, Manchester, Newcastle and Bristol . .

Further events will be announced soon, but  here are the events confirmed to date:

• Edinburgh: Rally planned
• Cardiff: Rally planned
• Leeds: Assemble at Victoria Gardens, Headrow, from 12.30 for march through main shopping areas. Returning to Headrow for a rally from 2 - 2.30pm
• Nottingham: Rally planned in Market Square
• Brighton: Rally planned
• Manchester: Rally between 2pm and 3pm at Albert Square, outside Manchester Town Hall
• Newcastle: Assemble at Bigg Market from 10.30am. March to Monument for rally at 11.30am. Ends at 12.30pm.
• Bristol: March and rally planned in Bristol City Centre.

Visit www.hardesthit.org.uk or www.facebook.com/thehardesthit for more information on times and an up to date list of event locations.

More information

• further questions raised on welfare reform - press release 20 September 2011
• hardest hit diary note - day of action

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