Disability Living Allowance cuts ‘will strip away independence’

Oldham Council

OLDHAM Council has agreed to write to Oldham’s three MPs over plans to cut Disability Living Allowance.

In the Comprehensive Spending Review, Chancellor George Osbourne announced that in October, 2012, those with disabilities and learning difficulties in the care of local authorities will have the mobility component of their allowance removed.

Councillor Phil Harrison slammed the plans saying the savage cuts would affect 80,000 people nationally, who would become imprisoned in their homes.

He said: “They will be stripped of their independence. People rely on that cash to take them to hospital or to visit friends. The cutting of this benefit sends out a clear message — if you are disabled, stay in!”

Conservative leader Councillor Jack Hulme said: “In Oldham this will only affect 120 people and we are in a difficult financial position.

“I do empathise with these people.”

Councillor Jackie Stanton added: “Many of the people receiving these benefits are too poorly so very few spend money on mobility.”

Labour leader Jim McMahon said the DLA wasn’t a “flush fund they could use when they want to go to Tenerife.”

He added: “This has gone beyond cannon fodder.”

The MPs will be asked to lobby Iain Duncan Smith to reconsider his proposal.