DLA Medical Assessment Criticised
The Government’s decision to introduce medical assessments for those in receipt of the Disabled Living Allowance (DLA) has brought a wave of criticism on Chancellor George Osborne’s first Budget.
Describing the ‘unavoidable’ tough Budget on 22 June as one which ‘rewards work’ yet ‘protects the most vulnerable in our society,” the Chancellor pointed to the last decade’s 45% increase in the size of the UK’s Welfare bill, and the need to undertake ‘lasting reform’ in order to reduce the nation’s debts.
“It is right that people who are disabled are helped to lead a life of dignity,” George Osborne insisted in the House of Commons. “We will continue to support them, and we will not reduce the rate at which [DLA] is paid. But three times as many people claim it today than when it was introduced 18 years ago, and the costs have quadrupled in real terms to more than £11 billion, making it one of the largest items of government spending.”
‘DLA IS NOT A BENEFIT’
According to the Chancellor, the new medical assessment, to be introduced for both new and existing claimants from 2013, will be a ‘simpler process’ than the current complex forms. “We can continue to afford paying this important benefit to those with the greatest needs, while significantly improving incentives to work for others,” he said.
However, the Chief Executive of disability charity Scope, Richard Hawkes, insisted there was one simple goal behind the announcement. He said: “The proposal to introduce a new medical assessment for DLA appears designed purely to reduce the number of people eligible for this support.
“DLA is not a benefit, but a basic recognition that it is more expensive to live as a disabled person in our society,” he insisted.
ABSOLUTE LIFELINE
The chief executive of the National Autistic Society, Mark Lever, also suggested that medical assessments could exclude many people affected by autism from receiving the support they and their families need.
“Thousands of individuals and families affected by autism struggle to meet the extra costs of living with a disability,” he said. “All too often they are denied essential benefits and face poverty due to a lack of understanding, support and services. For many, DLA is an absolute lifeline.
“Autism is a serious, lifelong and disabling condition and, without the right support, it can have a profound and sometimes devastating effect,” he added. “It is vital that this is acknowledged in any proposed changes to the way DLA is assessed.
SAFEGUARDS NEEDED
Another organisation with concerns about the announcement was learning difficulties charity Mencap. Their campaigns and policy manager, Esther Foreman, told us: “Strong safeguards must be put in place to ensure that people with a learning disability, who desperately need the support, do not miss out because of these assessments.
“We recognise that cuts have to be made but it is vital that we protect frontline public services enabling people with a learning disability to live independently,” she added. “Rising inflation and continuing growth in numbers of people with a learning disability means that, even if budgets standstill, people with a learning disability are going to be seriously affected.
“We fear that short term cost savings could have long term implications for people with a learning disability and their families and carers.”
MORE: www.scope.org.uk, www.autism.org.uk, www.mencap.org.uk
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