3 July 2008

'Tell it like it is' reveals impact of service cuts

A report from the Learning Disability Coalition has revealed the startling real-life impact of cuts to services.

More than a third (34%) of people with a learning disability have had their daytime activities cut, and 37% of people who had college courses cut are staying at home, according to the findings of a new report published by the coalition.

‘Tell it like it is' is the result of a wide-reaching survey of people with a learning disability and their carers. It was launched at a parliamentary reception on 2 July, hosted by Tom Clarke MP, chair of the All Party Group on Learning Disability. More than 90 people attended the reception, including people with a learning disability, MPs, Mencap's president Lord Rix and former racing driver Damon Hill, whose son has a learning disability.

‘Tell it like it is' provides graphic details of the level of cuts in services affecting people with a learning disability. Anecdotes from the survey show that even where cuts are not made, reductions in quality of services are happening. One respondent said: "Don't do much at the centre. Too much Bingo, lots of watching TV and DVDs. No more outings. Programmes are ignored - staff shortage blamed. It is a multi-purpose day centre and the elderly take priority over people with learning disabilities for staff time."

The Learning Disability Coalition, made up of 10 leading learning disability organisations argues that cuts to services are a false economy as they can lead to deterioration in people's mental and physical health, ultimately requiring higher levels of support.

Dame Jo Williams, co-chair of the Learning Disability Coalition and chief executive of Mencap, said: "This report, and the comments we received, make harrowing reading. The needs of people with a learning disability must be addressed in the green paper on the funding of adult social care expected early next year."

At the launch, care services minister Ivan Lewis said that the green paper would bring fundamental changes to the social care system but acknowledged that services are still the "‘Cinderella' of our society".

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