Disabled People: Independent Living

Baroness Wilkins Excerpts

Tuesday 22nd June 2010 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Northover]

My Lords, we face major financial problems way beyond the one that the noble Baroness has outlined and pinpointed. It is extremely important in this situation that what we do is fair; that we make sure that the most vulnerable in society are protected; and that we take forward the better protection of disabled people. One reason why we are setting up a commission on long-term social care is so that we can take this forward, building on what the previous Government did. I pay tribute to what they did in this field, and we will take that forward.

[Baroness Wilkins]

My Lords, given the coalition Government’s emphasis on localism and the three-year freeze on council tax, will the Minister explain how disabled people with high support needs will have their right to independent living met, in competition with other vociferous local groups vying for scarce resources in the local community and council?

[Baroness Northover]

We remain very committed to trying to ensure that independent living is taken forward. There is a strategy that we have inherited, and we will look at how best to take it forward. I realise that there is pressure on local government. At the moment, we are trying to ensure that this does not have an impact on the most vulnerable. That message has already come through from the Budget. A commission will be set up on long-term care. These are areas that must be urgently addressed because we realise that individuals and their carers and families are under a lot of pressure. We must take this forward in the most effective way possible.