Doug fires benefits cut warning

A DISABLED rights campaigner from Oldham has played a key role in speaking out against Government cuts to benefits.

Doug Paulley (34) was called to give evidence to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) last summer.

After speaking about his experiences and those of others living in residential care, his views on proposed changes to a range of benefits have now been included in a report to the Government.

The report said planned cuts to housing benefit, disability allowance and the independent living fund put disabled people in fear of being forced out of their homes and into residential care.

It also found that the reforms risked leaving disabled people without the support they need to live independently.

Mr Paulley, whose parents live in Clarksfield, lives in a residential home in Wetherby.

He has autonomic dysfunction which affects his nervous system and means he needs a wheelchair.

He said: “Speaking to the committee was an interesting experience, I was asked about difficulties and barriers I’d experienced to independent living.

“The Government cuts included things like stopping mobility allowance for anyone living in care because it saw it as the same as someone being in hospital and not needing the money, but it has scrapped that idea now.

“However, it is planning to stop the independent living fund which is money that would help a person get out of residential care.” Mr Paulley was joined by two other witnesses on the day including Peter Beresford, professor in social care at Brunel University.

The committee is now waiting for the Government to formally respond to its report.

Mr Paulley said: “The changes are going to ruin people’s lives, and a lot of disabled people are living in fear as they wait to find out what cuts will be made.

“For me, the cuts mean I’ll have to jump through a lot more hoops to get the benefits I’m entitled to.

“The cuts will also make it much less likely for me to get out of residential care, which is something I’ve always kept in mind.

“I feel privileged that I was given the opportunity to speak out, but I remain to be convinced if it makes a difference.”