@DWPgovUK inconsistent with UKs international commitments to support #disabled #claimants @EHRC @UN_Enable #SaveILF The Department for Work and Pensions - DWPs decision to close the Independent Living Fund (ILF) for disabled people was challenged by the Equality and Human Rights Commission on 22 October. The Commission gave expert legal advice to the #HighCourt yesterday, intervening in the Judicial Review of 10 Downing Streets decision to close the ILF to existing claimants. Although the Fund has been closed to new users since 2010, the #DWP this year announced renewed plans to cease funding for existing claimants next year, if the closure goes ahead. According to the Commission, almost 20,000 severely disabled people risk losing essential funding support for their independence. This, the Commission argues, is inconsistent with the UK’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (UNCRPD) & United Nations Enable Rebecca Hilsenrath, chief legal officer for the Commission, said: “When the closure of the Fund was considered previously, the #CourtOfAppeal found that insufficient consideration had been given to the consequences, which are potentially very grave for some recipients. The extent of the impact is still unclear, but if the closure goes ahead it will be a regressive step in terms of the right of disabled people to live independently.
Posted on: Fri, 24 Oct 2014 20:22:52 +0000
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