A press release from the Hardest Hit campaigning organisations, which includes RNIB.
10.8 million disabled people in the UK
Estimated £9 billion loss to disabled people's income
Over 50 organisations joining forces
12 UK cities
12 protests
1 day: 22nd October
1 message: Disabled people are the HARDEST HIT. Stop these cuts
The 22nd October witnessed thousands of disabled people, their families and friends taking to the streets in cities across the UK to protest against cuts to essential support for disabled people.
The protests took place one year on from the Comprehensive Spending Review where the Government promised to protect the most vulnerable when making cuts, and as the Welfare Reform Bill, which will significantly reduce support for disabled people, continues to go through Parliament.
Protesters held banners branded with 'Don't box me in', 'Betrayed' and 'PM says scrounger, doctor says Parkinsons'. One campaigner held a big cardboard box with 'Don't look down on me' scrawled on it and another wheelchair user wore a placard round her neck reading 'Disability is work - we're entitled to benefits and decent wages'.
"Disabled by attitudes"
Suzie Jones of Preston has been profoundly deaf since the age of five, she said at the Manchester event: "I look fairly normal, I am normal, yet I feel very disabled by the attitudes of society."
Actress Julie Hesmondhalgh, who plays Hayley in Coronation Street, received a warm welcome from the crowd when she came to show her support, along with two of her co-stars, at the Manchester protest. She said: "No more. Now, we are fighting back."
Emma Round travelled from Harbourne to attend the Birmingham protest. Emma, a wheelchair user since 2009, said: "I assumed the government would be there for me, but Atos say I am able to work - just because I can walk two steps. But I can't leave my house unaided."
The Hardest Hit
The Hardest Hit campaign, organised jointly by the Disability Benefits Consortium and the UK Disabled People's Council, brings together individuals and over 50 organisations to send a clear message to the Government: Stop these cuts.
The 11th of May 2011 saw thousands of disabled people march through central London to warn the government that public spending cuts will push disabled people into poverty and isolation.
Almost six months on, the situation remains critical as disabled people, those with long-term conditions and their families are still being hit the hardest by cuts to the benefits and services they need to live their lives. Local authority budget squeezes have resulted in cuts to frontline services (1) causing anxiety and poverty, and in some cases forcing disabled people to take expensive and stressful legal action.(2)
Essential benefits
Many disabled people are living in fear of cuts to essential benefits including Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). The total cuts will mean an estimated £9 billion loss to disabled people and their families' incomes over the next four years, on top of cuts to many local care and support services.(3)
Jaspal Dhani, CEO of the United Kingdom Disabled People's Council, said: "Today's protests demonstrate just how much disabled people, their friends and family are going to be affected by this Government's cuts and the many broken promises it's made to protect disabled people. The last 12 months have seen a string of cuts that have hit disabled people the hardest, from benefits changes to local authorities slashing social care budgets and axing concessionary bus passes. Remember it was disabled people who campaigned for and won laws to tackle discrimination. We can and must do it again to resist these cuts."
Steve Winyard, Head of Policy and Campaigns at RNIB and Chair of the Disability Benefits Consortium campaigns group, said: "You can't keep cutting people's support until you meet a target. At some point you have to say enough is enough. Disabled people are experiencing a perfect storm of escalating living costs and cuts to support and benefits. But daily life costs more if you have a disability, which means disabled people are hit disproportionately hard. Many are already living in fear of cuts to essential benefits, which is why so many people have taken part in Hardest Hit protests, despite the physical and financial difficulties of getting to an event. We cannot sit back and allow the cuts to go unchallenged."
Attendance at each event included:
Edinburgh: 1000 people
Cardiff: 1000
Leeds: 400 people
Nottingham: 350 people
Brighton: 250 people
Manchester: 400 people
Newcastle: more than 1000 people
Bristol: 500
Norwich: 500
London: more than 250 people
Birmingham: 300
We want:
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No cuts to services vital to disabled people.
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The Government to ensure that changes to DLA does not make disabled people worse off.
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The Government to ensure that ESA works by improving the assessment process.
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The Government to ensure that the welfare system supports disabled people with the additional costs of living with an impairment.
Media enquiries:
For more information contact RNIB Public Relations Team on 020 7391 2223 or email pressoffice@rnib.org.uk Out of hours call 079 6848 2812.
Notes:
People can support the campaign today by writing to their MP. Find out more at www.hardesthit.org.uk.
Join the conversation at www.facebook.com/thehardesthit or using #HardestHit on Twitter.
(1) Coping with the Cuts: Demos research report, commissioned by Scope, 12 September 2011 http://www.demos.co.uk/publications/copingwiththecuts
(2) In an action brought by four disabled people, the High Court ruled on 19 May that Birmingham City Council's decision to only fund 'critical' social care needs unlawful. Conversely, on 5 September two elderly disabled women (in the 60s and 70s respectively) failed in their legal challenge against Lancashire County Council's decision to cut social care funding for disabled people with 'moderate' needs.
(3) Destination Unknown: Demos research report, commissioned by Scope, 8 October 2010: http://www.demos.co.uk/publications/destinationunknowndisability