Plans to change disability benefit system

The Government has hoped to pass this bill with as little public knowledge, and therefore as little outcry, as possible.

While acknowledging the need to reduce public expenditure wherever possible, it would appear to be cowardly to attack the needy, sick and disabled in this way.

There are several major flaws in this proposal. Firstly, transferring money from one department to another invariably causes an increase in administration costs, increasing the number of civil servants and of course managers.

Secondly, this increases exponentially the cost of actual care given to the client, as much of the money allocated now goes to pay the salary of assessors and managers.

Thirdly, the system becomes even more monolithic and unwieldy and is completely unable to respond quickly to the clients’ needs. An example of this is an MS sufferer who needs 24 hour care and whose benefit payment only covers the cost of two 15-minute visits from Social Services a day.

If she is particularly tired and needs two carers to call to put her into bed, she is told that she should have informed them the day before so that it could be organised. How patronising and insulting!

Patients who use their disability care allowance to buy their own service find that they can get a much less expensive service, also that it is geared to their particular needs and can be flexible when required.

It is to take the last shreds of dignity and independence from these very vulnerable people, to suggest that the money they receive for care be given to an already over-managed, under-performing service.

Many of the people who will be affected by the proposed changes are unaware of the situation.

The public, should they wish to, can act on this news and write to their MPs asking them not to vote for this.

Mrs Pam Turner Burghley Drive Radcliffe