The Petition of members, volunteers and supporters of the Chippenham Gateway Club,
Declares that the Petitioners are opposed to the Government’s proposal to stop paying the Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance for disabled adults in residential care; and notes their concern that this proposal would have a devastating impact on the Chippenham Gateway Club and similar clubs for members with learning difficulties/mental health issues throughout the UK.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government not to stop paying the Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance for disabled adults in residential care.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Duncan Hames, Official Report, 9 February 2011; Vol. 523, c. 433.]
[P000884]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions:
We have listened and will continue to listen to what care home residents, their families and care home staff have said about how mobility support works in practice and it is clear that the current system is not working in the way it is supposed to. It is important that this uncertainty is addressed. We can guarantee this measure is not intended to remove severely disabled people’s ability to get out and about but to identify and remove any overlaps.
We want to ensure that the help available is properly targeted to reflect the different circumstances in which disabled people live. This is why we are considering the evidence to determine how best to implement any changes as part of wider DLA reform and implementation of the new Personal Independence Payment, not beforehand.
The Petition of care home residents and others concerned for their welfare,
Declares that the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) helps meet some of the extra costs disabled people can face getting around; further declares that the Government plan to stop paying DLA to people living in residential care, which will mean that many people no longer have the money to meet these extra costs and face being trapped at home.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons calls on the Government to keep the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance for people living in residential care.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Fiona Mactaggart, Official Report, 16 February 2011; Vol. 523, c. 1096.]
[P000887]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions:
We have listened and will continue to listen to what care home residents, their families and care home staff have said about how mobility support works in practice and it is clear that the current system is not working in the way it is supposed to. It is important that this uncertainty is addressed. We can guarantee this measure is not intended to remove severely disabled people’s ability to get out and about but to identify and remove any overlaps.
We want to ensure that the help available is properly targeted to reflect the different circumstances in which disabled people live. This is why we are considering the evidence to determine how best to implement any changes as part of wider DLA reform and implementation of the new Personal Independence Payment, not beforehand.
The Petition of supporters of Muscular Dystrophy Campaign and others,
Declares that the Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) helps to meet the higher costs of accessible public transport (where available), or makes an individual eligible for an adapted vehicle through the Motability scheme; that without DLA mobility component, thousands of adults of all ages with severe disabilities who are supported by the state to live in residential care will be unable to retain voluntary employment or simply to visit family and friends; that many families with children attending residential schools will not be able to fund their own adapted vehicle, and as residential schools only provide transport for the start and end of term, with no extra provision for weekends or holidays, disabled children may end up stuck as prisoners in their own home during school holidays, unable to take part in leisure activities, or even attend essential hospital appointments; and that the decision to cut this vital benefit for children in residential schools and adults in residential care will deny thousands of disabled people the chance to live full and independent lives.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government not to cut the Disability Living Allowance Mobility Component for people living in residential care—including children attending residential schools.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Mr John Leech, Official Report, 8 March 2011; Vol. 524, c. 877.]
[P000894]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions:
We have listened and will continue to listen to what care home residents, their families and care home staff have said about how mobility support works in practice and it is clear that the current system is not working in the way it is supposed to. It is important that this uncertainty is addressed. We can guarantee this measure is not intended to remove severely disabled people’s ability to get out and about but to identify and remove any overlaps.
We want to ensure that the help available is properly targeted to reflect the different circumstances in which disabled people live. This is why we are considering the evidence to determine how best to implement any changes as part of wider DLA reform and implementation of the new Personal Independence Payment, not beforehand.