Update: DLA mobility campaign

Mencap has stepped up its efforts to change the government’s mind over the proposed removal of the mobility component of DLA for people in residential care.

On Wednesday 9^th February, Mencap, Leonard Cheshire and Sense jointly hosted a lobby event in parliament during which MPs were invited to meet with their constituents to discuss their views on the reforms to DLA mobility. Fiona Mactaggart MP, Shadow Equalities Minister, spoke about her opposition to the changes and her views were echoed by Dame Anne Begg MP, Chair of the Work and Pensions Select Committee, who was also presented with a petition of over 6,500 names who opposed the cut.

Earlier in the day, there was a photo stunt which received widespread media coverage. The scene, which was set outside Parliament, was of people in wheelchairs trapped in a cage under the slogan: “Imprisoned in their own homes”.

This followed on from a question asked by Lord Rix on Monday 7^th February in which he questioned whether the cut to DLA mobility was consistent with the government’s claim that we are “all in this together”. Lord Freud replied that the government is “taking a very close look at the mobility requirements of people in residential care”, but Mencap will continue to make sure their decisions do offer the best form of support for disabled people.