Welfare Reform Bill
Key measures in the flagship Welfare Reform Bill represent a major assault on the incomes and independence of working age blind, partially sighted and other disabled people.
This is the finding of the 'More Than Meets the Eye' report, published today (Friday 28 January) by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) on behalf of seven sight loss charities, calling on the Government to work with them to achieve the fairness they promised in these reforms.
Our analysis
Our analysis highlights three key measures likely to have the greatest impact on blind and partially sighted people.
-
Replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) with a Personal Independence Payment. This could mean 20 per cent fewer people able to receive the benefit, including up to 12,000 blind or partially sighted people.
-
Time limiting contributory Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) to one year for those in the Work Related Activity Group. Yet 92 per cent of employers say they would find it 'difficult' or 'impossible' to employ somebody blind or partially sighted.
-
Linking benefits to the Consumer Price Index (rather than the higher Retail Price Index). For those currently claiming higher rate DLA care this could represent a loss of up to £360 a year - ten days home care - while those on lower rate DLA mobility may lose the equivalent of 20 Taxicard journeys a year.
In addition, there will be cuts to Housing Benefit, reduced access to Legal Aid and Access to Work support, and cuts to local authority budgets.
Despite the promise of £2 billion for social care the reality is that many blind and partially sighted people are deemed to have 'low' or 'moderate' needs, so they will struggle to access local authority care services. Many rely on their extra cost benefits to remain independent. The combination of cuts to benefits and to services provided by local authorities will simply move blind and partially sighted people further from work and independence.
Steve Winyard, RNIB Head of Campaigns and Policy says: "The Government risks failing its own fairness test - reforming welfare to save money but at the expense of those they have promised to protect. Blind and partially sighted people need support to secure employment and to manage the extra costs of living with a disability, not the threat of losing their benefits. Yet like a perfect storm, the Welfare Reform Bill will pass through Parliament at precisely the same time as local authorities make swingeing cuts."
"I can't afford to lose ESA"
Mrs Gill is married with two young children. She is partially sighted and recently had a corneal graft. The healing process is slow and her eye condition may then require a transplant in her other eye. She says: "I have a permanent job in a bank and my employer has agreed I can return when my vision improves. Yet I have to attend interviews to continue to receive ESA and I've been advised to apply for other jobs. I don't want to lose the job I have, but I can't afford to lose my ESA. I don't know what I'll do if it is stopped after one year. If I was well enough to work, I'd go back to my old job."
"DLA does not stretch"
Ian Jentle is partially sighted. He says: "My DLA does not stretch far enough to cover the additional costs of living with sight loss as it is, but these reforms could mean I get even less. This would erode my quality of life and could put pressure on my relationships if I have to rely on others to get around. Will I simply be forced to choose between travel to do my weekly shopping or a sighted guide to support my work?"
Response from Demos
Eugene Grant from respected think tank Demos says: "It is clear that the Government's cuts in welfare support will have a disproportionately damaging effect on disabled people - their income, financial security and wellbeing. There is a real risk that cutting critical support for disabled families - and at a time of entrenched financial hardship - will push this group even further to the isolated margins of society. This report adds to a growing evidence base that shows the Government cannot follow through on its Big Society agenda and its commitment to give disabled people control and independence by stripping away the very benefits and services that enable them to take part in our communities."
To download a copy of the 'More Than Meets The Eye' report visit www.rnib.org.uk/campaigns
ENDS
For more information please contact Yashoda Sutton, RNIB Media Relations Team, on 020 7391 2223, email pressoffice@rnib.org.uk
To catch our media releases as they arrive you can follow RNIB Media on Twitter @RNIB_Media
Notes to editors:
'More Than Meets The Eye', written by Andrew Kaye, is published by RNIB on behalf of Action for Blind People, The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, National Blind Children's Society, Sense, National Federation of the Blind and Visionary.
About RNIB
Everyday around 100 people in the UK start to lose their sight. There are around 2 million people in the UK with sight problems. RNIB is the leading charity working in the UK offering practical support, advice and information for anyone with sight difficulties. If you, or someone you know, has a sight problem RNIB can help. Call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or visit www.rnib.org.uk
RNIB is a partner in the UK Vision Strategy, a ground-breaking UK-wide initiative which seeks a major transformation in the UK's eye health, eye care and sight loss services. The strategy was launched in April 2008 in response to a World Health Assembly global resolution to reduce avoidable blindness by the year 2020 and to improve support and services for blind and partially sighted people. To find out more visit: www.vision2020uk.org.uk/ukvisionstrategy.