Advertisement
Opinion

The government is failing to support disabled people and we are paying the price

Cuts to public funding of support services for disabled people since 2010 mean families face mounting pressures as they struggle to fill the gap, writes unpaid carer Rachel Curtis.

In parliament recently, MPs debated a petition I created for the introduction of an energy grant for people with a disability or serious medical condition. The petition, which gained over 16,000 signatures, prompted MPs to launch an additional survey of over 10,000 people on cost-of-living payments ahead of their debate. The results were bleak.

Some 93% of respondents said they have had to limit their use of energy, 76% have limited their use of transport and 60% limited their use of specialist equipment. For disabled people, those who are sick and their carers, whose health and quality of life often depends on energy-hungry, medical equipment and who need to travel to health appointments frequently, this is a dire situation to be in.  

This summer, around six million people across the UK will receive the government’s disability cost of living payment of £150. But this is not enough. Millions of UK citizens have a disability or serious medical condition that means they have to use more energy, like ventilators, feeding tube pumps or to charge wheelchairs. 

Your support changes lives. Find out how you can help us help more people by signing up for a subscription

Scope’s latest disability price tag report found that the average disabled household faces an extra £975 a month in costs. In a cost of living crisis which has seen our bills skyrocket, food prices reach record heights, and an underfunded NHS which is struggling to cope, the government are failing to support disabled people, and we are paying the price. 

Caring for disabled loved ones is a full-time job, but it still remains hugely overlooked. Carers UK estimate that there are 10.6 million unpaid carers across the country. Despite saving the exchequer £132 billion a year, unpaid care is not recognised by the health or social care arms of the state. Even before the cost of living crisis, Carers UK found that 2 in 5 carers were struggling financially. Carers like myself are struggling to make ends meet, our love and care alone isn’t enough – we need help and recognition. 

Advertisement
Advertisement

Yet instead, cuts to public funding of support services for disabled people since 2010 mean families face mounting pressures as they struggle to fill the gap. As a mother and full-time carer for my daughter Betsy, who has Down’s Syndrome, I know this desperate feeling all too well. I spend 18 hours a day, which includes constant supervision to keep her safe.  

For too long, the government have fallen short of supporting the millions of disabled people and their carers in the UK.   The MPs’ survey must be a wake-up call; continuing to pile ever greater pressure on people already stretched to the limit is both unjust and unsustainable. 

The introduction of a disability cost of living payment was a welcome first step, but it must just be the start. It is vital that the Government listens to the concerns of disabled people and their carers, allows us to take part in the decision-making process, and commits to long-term investment. Only then are we likely to get the fair deal we deserve. 

Rachel Curtis is an unpaid carer for her daughter and blogger for the We Care Campaign.

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? We want to hear from you. Get in touch and tell us more.

Advertisement

Sign our petition to keep people in their homes

Urgent action is needed to prevent even more people being pushed into homelessness.  A secure home is the first step in addressing the cruel cycle of poverty to ensure people can fulfil their potential. Join us to keep people in their homes.

Recommended for you

Read All
It's hard to let go of possessions. I need Stacey Solomon's help
Lucy Sweet

It's hard to let go of possessions. I need Stacey Solomon's help

Child poverty: School staff seeing more and more children 'too hungry to learn'
Child poverty

Child poverty: School staff seeing more and more children 'too hungry to learn'

Looking back on the cycle of my life
John Bird

Looking back on the cycle of my life

Youth homelessness and unemployment are rising – but there's a simple solution
Opinion

Youth homelessness and unemployment are rising – but there's a simple solution

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Here's when people will get the next cost of living payment in 2023
3.

Here's when people will get the next cost of living payment in 2023

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue