'Protect the Frontline' launched

Wednesday 08 September 2010

The Learning Disability Coalition's campaign aims to protect vital services for people with a learning disability

In response to planned cuts in public spending, the Learning Disability Coalition (LDC) has begun a campaign to stop central government and local authorities from cutting frontline services for people with a learning disability.

‘Protect the Frontline' was launched on the steps of HM Treasury in London on Tuesday 7 September, ahead of the government's Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR). The CSR is due on 20 October and will set out the budget for the next four years, including any cuts.

The LDC has published the findings from its survey of local authorities

to demonstrate the need for the campaign. They show that 84% of local authorities rate the funding situation for learning disability services as difficult. So much so, that 74% are already making efficiency savings, with 10% having made cuts to support services. It will send a copy of the survey to all MPs and local authorities.

The campaigners stood with ‘cuts incident' boards outside the Treasury, revealing where they expect the most damaging cuts to be made. Without social care support services, people with a learning disability cannot carry out many of their everyday routines, including washing, eating, travelling and learning. The LDC's 'Stories from the frontline' report includes the diaries of seven people with a learning disability, demonstrating the potential impact of cuts.

Anthea Cox, director for the Learning Disability Coalition said: "Our survey clearly shows that the social care support system cannot withstand further cuts, as it is already in crisis. Further cuts to services will be a direct cut to the lives of people with a learning disability and a betrayal of the promises made by the government to some of the most at-risk people in our society."

 Download the findings of the LDC's survey of local authorities

Read 'Stories from the frontline', the diaries of seven people with a learning disability that show the potential impact of cuts

Share your cuts stories by emailing cutswatch@learningdisabilitycoalition.org.uk