Tories must reverse attacks on disabled people

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/mar/30/tories-must-reverse-attacks-on-disabled-people

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The announcement by the new work and pensions secretary, Stephen Crabb, that the changes to personal independence payments (PIP) in George Osborne’s calamity of a budget are to be scrapped is welcome news for hundreds of thousands of disabled people (Report, 22 March). Yet even the statement that there are no further welfare cuts planned for this parliament is cold comfort to those who live every day with the misery created by years of attacks on the support they require to participate in society.

The storm surrounding Cameron’s government over the budget has thrown a spotlight on the extent of inequality at the heart of its plans. IFS figures on the government’s tax and welfare changes have shown that the rich will gain while the poor lose out – so much for “compassionate conservatism”. If Stephen Crabb is serious with his talk of the people behind the numbers he needs to do more than just stop new cuts – he should reverse those that have already been made. We suggest he starts by returning the £30 a week he recently voted to steal from those receiving ESA and committing to scrap the notorious work capability assessments that have regularly found people with terminal cancer “fit for work”.

Anita Bellows Disabled People Against CutsLinda Burnip Disabled People Against CutsEllen Clifford Disabled People Against CutsMark Dunk Unite the ResistanceBob Ellard Disabled People Against CutsAndy Greene Disabled People Against CutsDebbie Jolly Disabled People Against CutsRoger Lewis Disabled People Against CutsPaula Peters Disabled People Against CutsAlison Playford Occupy London

• Jackie Ashley is right in saying that laws protecting disabled tenants all too often go unenforced (Try life in a wheelchair and then tell me disabled people have equal rights, 24 March). In fact, despite the protections outlined in the Equality Act, research we conducted in 2014 found that the majority of councils are not thinking about the housing needs of disabled people. Just 16% could provide any data on how many homes in their area were wheelchair-accessible and over 80% did not have an accessible housing register.

At present the only option for many disabled people living in unsuitable buildings is to take their council or housing provider to court. This is costly, emotionally exhausting and provides no guarantee of success. The answer is to build an adequate proportion of new homes to “Lifetime Homes” standards. These homes are easily adaptable and would reduce the cost of adaptations for councils. This way, accessible housing would be readily available for both disabled tenants and those with progressive conditions. Everybody should have the right to a safe, suitable and accessible home to call their own.Peter JenkinsCampaigns director, Leonard Cheshire Disability

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