Reference :

How the Budget will damage the lives of Deaf and Disabled Londoners

29/06/2010

The Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government set out its first budget on 22 June. The Budget followed the direction set in the government's programme for government and by the £6 billion spending cuts this year already announced.

Disabled people will suffer directly and indirectly. Directly through attacks on Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and other disability benefits, and on other supports such as Housing Benefit (HB) on which Deaf and disabled people rely, by virtue of a greater likelihood to be disadvantaged, have faced discrimination and to live in poverty. Indirectly, through job cuts, a tougher employment market, cuts in services, the rise in VAT and in other ways.

The government has chosen to load the burden of its fiscal deficit reduction plans on the poorest and most disadvantaged people in society. At the same time it has set out a series of steps that will cut the likelihood of economic growth, which is the pre-requisite for sustainable deficit reduction.

Inclusion London has analysed what the Budget means for disabled people. We look at what it might mean for disabled people in London, the alternatives and we look at how disabled people can make their views heard.

For more information, or to download the paper that has been produced by Inclusion London, please click here.