Up to half a million disabled people and their families in the UK will
be worse off under the new Universal Credit benefits system if current plans go
ahead, according to a new report.
Universal Credit, due to be introduced in October 2013, aims to simplify
the benefits system by replacing a range of benefits and tax credits with a
single payment. But an inquiry led by Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, and
supported by The Children’s Society, Citizens Advice and Disability Rights UK
found that 100,000 disabled children stand to lose up to £28 a week under the
new system.
According to the report, up to 230,000 severely disabled people who do
not have another adult to assist them stand to lose between £28 and £58 in
support every week, while 116,000 working disabled people are at risk of losing
£40 per week from help towards additional costs of being disabled. One in ten
families with disabled children affected by the changes said they feared losing
their homes.
To cope with the changes, eighty per cent of disabled adults living
alone or with a young carer said they would cut back on food, while 80 per cent
said they would cut back on the amount they spend on heating. Although
Universal Credit was intended to make work pay, the inquiry found that the
changes could make it harder for disabled people to remain in work.
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson said: "The findings of this report do
not make easy reading. The clear message is that many households with disabled
people are already struggling to keep their heads above water. "Reducing
support for families with disabled children, disabled people who are living
alone, families with young carers and disabled people in work risks driving
many over the edge in future."
Matthew Reed, chief executive of The Children's Society's said:
"This inquiry has lifted the lid on the stark reality that many disabled
people will face when the new benefits system comes into force. "While it
is true that some people will be better off under Universal Credit, it is
shocking that so many disabled people – including children – will have to cut
back on food, specialist equipment and, in some cases, be forced to move out of
their homes or consider moving their child into full time residential
care."
A spokesman for the Department of Work and Pensions said the report was
"highly selective and could result in irresponsible scaremongering."
He said: "Our reforms will create a simpler and fairer system with
aligned levels of support for adults and children. More importantly, there will
be no cash losers in the rollout of Universal Credit."
Yahoo Lifestyle
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