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The Disability Benefits Consortium urges the Government to implement Low Review recommendations

3 November 2011

Lord Low of Dalston has called on the Government to protect mobility payments for disabled people living in residential care, in his independent review, launched today in Parliament. The review has been warmly welcomed by more than fifty organisations that make up the DBC, who have been campaigning against the Government’s move to stop the payments since the Government’s announcement of the policy in last year’s spending review.

The independent review into how the personal mobility needs of people living in state-funded residential care are met found overwhelming evidence that the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) - or its successor, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - should be retained. The report is clear that its removal would lead to a loss of independence for disabled people. Lord Low said: “If payment of the mobility component to people living in residential care ends, this will be a serious step backwards for disability rights.”

Hayley Jordan, of the MS Society and Co-chair of the DBC Policy Group, gave oral evidence to the review, joining over 800 submissions from individuals, disability organisations, care home providers and local authorities. She stated: “This important review sets out clearly the vital role that these mobility payments play in supporting disabled people’s independence. We strongly urge the Government to take on board the review’s measured and evidence-based suggestions to bring greater transparency and coherence to the system of mobility funding for disabled people, without resorting to the draconian proposal to stop the benefits altogether. Though this is a vital issue, it is just one of an array of threats to disabled people which is contained in the Welfare Reform Bill. The DBC will continue to also lobby for changes to make the Bill fairer for disabled people, including for the time limiting of contributory ESA to be removed from the legislation.”

The key findings and recommendations of the review include:

• The report found no evidence of overlap in the support offered by the mobility component of DLA and that offered by local authorities and providers.
• As PIP is introduced, disabled people living in state-funded residential care should be eligible to receive the mobility component on the same basis as disabled people receiving care in their own home.
• Individuals living in residential care to directly manage their Personal Independence Payment mobility component.
• Motability should initiate a review into how the role it plays in supporting disabled people’s independence could be further improved.
• The Department of Health and Care Quality Commission should take action to provide greater clarity and guidance to local authorities and care home providers regarding their responsibilities for funding mobility needs and the role played by DLA mobility.

For further information, visit http://lowreview.org.uk

More information

• independent review ‘final nail in coffin’ for government plans to axe support for disabled care home residents - Disability Alliance press release (3 November 2011)
• independence, choice and control: dla and personal mobility in state-funded residential care - download full report

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