MENCAP RESPONDS TO THE BUDGET
Dan Scorer, director of public affairs at
learning disability
A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things.
charity Mencap, said:
“The £100 energy bill payment will barely scratch the surface of today’s energy costs for many people with a learning disability and falls far short of the support they need. It will leave many at risk of deeper poverty and hardship.
“This was a missed opportunity to deliver the promised breathing space.
“For years, many people with a learning disability and their families have borne the brunt of the cost-of-living crisis, struggling with unaffordable energy bills, often facing unavoidable energy costs linked to disability, health and care needs.
“Many families rely on constant heating, refrigeration for medicines, specialist diets, monitoring equipment and additional washing due to personal care needs.
“Looking ahead,
the Government
The Government are the people who run the country. They decide how much tax people should pay for things and how things like the National Health Service should work.
should extend targeted energy support to disabled households and introduce a targeted social tariff to ensure people facing the greatest
financial
Financial means anything that is to do with money. It is used to describe how people, businesses, or governments get money and how they use it
hardship are protected from unaffordable energy bills.”
Note to editors
About Mencap
There are 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK and they deserve to live their life to the full. So Mencap supports people with a learning disability to succeed in the things that matter to them. To ensure that people with a learning disability are not left behind at any stage of their life, we campaign A campaign is when people work together to try to change something. for a fairer society; work with families and partners to build inclusive communities; and we deliver person-centred services. We’ve spent 80 years changing lives. Now, with Mencap 2030, we’re changing the future.
What is a learning disability?
A learning disability is a reduced intellectual ability which affects someone for their whole life. Typically, people with a learning disability need more time to learn and process information. They may need extra support to develop skills, complete tasks and interact with others, or they may have more complex needs requiring round-the clock care. The level of support needed is different for everyone and may change during a person’s lifetime.
Learning disability is NOT a mental illness or a learning difficulty. Often, the term ‘learning difficulty’ is wrongly used in place of ‘learning disability’. Having a learning difficulty (such as ADHD or
dyslexia
Dyslexia is a learning difficulty. People who have dyslexia can find it hard to read, write and spell.
) may mean a person learns at a different pace or in a different way BUT – unlike a learning disability - it does not affect a person’s intellect.
With the right support, most people with a learning disability can lead happy, healthy, independent lives. At Mencap, it’s our mission to remove societal barriers and shatter misconceptions to make this more possible for more people.
Mencap’s guide to reporting on Learning Disability
When it comes to creating content with people with a learning disability, we know many people feel nervous about saying and doing the wrong thing. Our guide for journalists, covers everything from up-to-date facts and figures to the right language to use. It also includes tips on how to work with people with a learning disability to gather the best content.
For further information, please contact Mencap’s media team on: [email protected] or 02076 965414 (including out of hours).
