Workers Revolutionary Party - Disabled defend Independent Living Fund!

The News Line: News Thursday, 14 March 2013 Disabled defend Independent Living Fund!

Campaigners against the scrapping of the Independent Living Fund lobby the High Court

Over 50 disabled people demonstrated outside the High Court in London yesterday demanding the government maintain the Independent Living Fund (ILF).

Mary Laver from Newcastle told News Line: ‘If they take away the ILF I won’t be part of the community any more.

‘I will lose 46 hours of supported care, no more going out with the dogs, I will have to find them a new home, no more voluntary work.

‘My care will be reduced to two hours – I will be wet all day.

‘I have nine carers and four of them will lose their jobs.

‘I have carried the Olympic torch, driven my power chair from Lands End to John O’Groats with the supported care.

‘Without the ILF I will now be very lonely and isolated.’

Another wheelchair user, Anne Pridmore from Leicestershire told News Line ‘I have had a meeting with the head of “Personalisation” in Leicestershire County Council and he told me that they don’t know what to do.

‘Relying on local authority-provided care means you have no choice over your life.

‘No choice over when you get up, eat, have a shower, or go to the toilet!

‘The six people who currently look after me will be in fear of losing their jobs.’

Paul Martin, PCS branch secretary at the Independent Living Fund addressed the lobby to bring his support.

‘Our union will be on strike next Wednesday, Budget day in defence of pensions, pay and employee rights in the civil service.’

The ILF pays for support for over 18,000 disabled people to live in their own homes and take part in society the same as everybody else.