The Action Network has set up a campaign urging disabled people to write to their MPs about the cost of living crisis. It is sponsored by Inclusion London and aims to go nationwide.
The campaign says: “Poverty among disabled people is a massive and growing problem. Over a decade of cuts in government social provision has left many disabled people without access to essentials and caused or contributed to hundreds of thousands of deaths.
Half of all people living in poverty are either disabled people themselves or have a disabled person in their household, more than half of people who use food banks are disabled people and social care charging means disabled people have to pay out of their pockets for essential care, despite often having very low incomes. But things are currently getting much, much worse, as the costs of food and energy are rising exponentially. Yet instead of helping us, the government is actively reducing our support.
We are calling for the government to help Disabled people survive the current price increases. This should include introducing the following policies:
- An emergency uprating of benefits to at least match inflation, bringing the 2022 increase to 8% or higher. The uprating must apply to legacy benefits as well as Universal Credit, to ensure Disabled people are not disadvantaged.
- Reverse the changes to the eligibility criteria for the Warm Home Discount, to retain support for Disabled people’s higher energy needs.
- Provide additional targeted support for Disabled people with high energy needs, regardless of immigration status.
- Remove the requirement to pay back the £200 repayable ‘discount’ (loan) proposed as part of the Energy Bill Support Scheme.”
If you would like to support the campaign and write to your MP click here.
Inclusion London has pulled together some information on getting help with the cost of living crisis ( also available in Easy Read ) here.
