Mencap's response to Chancellor's Autumn Statement 2011

Tuesday 29 November 2011

Mencap has responded to today's Autumn Statement by the Chancellor

Mark Goldring, Mencap’s chief executive, said:

It is welcome that the Chancellor has pledged to uprate vital benefits for disabled people by consumer prices, so they keep pace with inflation and the rapidly increasing cost of essentials like heating and food. However, we are deeply concerned about the urgent need to reform funding of the broken adult social care system in England, which now looks less and less likely to take place as the Chancellor allocates resources elsewhere. We call on the government not to kick this into the long grass, leaving many disabled people without the support they need.

ENDS

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• About Mencap

There are 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK. Mencap works to support people with a learning disability and their families and carers by fighting to change laws and improve services and access to education, employment and leisure facilities. Mencap supports thousands of people with a learning disability to live their lives the way they want.

We are also one of the largest providers of services, information and advice for people with a learning disability across England, Northern Ireland and Wales. People with a learning disability and their carers can find out more about our services by calling Mencap Direct on 0300 333 111 or by visiting www.mencap.org.uk

• What is a learning disability?

A learning disability is a reduced intellectual ability and difficulty with everyday activities – for example household tasks, socialising or managing money – which affects someone for their whole life.

People with a learning disability tend to take longer to learn and may need support to develop new skills, understand complex information and interact with other people.

The level of support someone needs depends on individual factors, including the severity of their learning disability.