SOCIAL CARE

Councils warned not to 'forget' about people with learning disabilities

Local authorities must ensure people with learning disabilities are supported through the cost of living crisis, charity says.

Local authorities must ensure people with learning disabilities are supported through the cost of living crisis, charity says.

Mencap has warned that Government efforts to help people during the cost of living crisis are ‘short term' are will do little to help the 1.5 million people with a learning disability living in the UK.

They said that the crisis impacts those with learning difficulties particularly hard because they are on low incomes, rely on disability benefits, and need support to be able to budget and navigate complex information from energy suppliers.

The charity called on the Government to bring in longer term measures to deal with the crisis. They also urged local authorities to make sure their residents with a learning disability are supported by providing accessible information and removing barriers to support from schemes like the council tax rebate and Household Support Fund.

Matthew Harrison, public affairs and parliamentary manager from learning disability charity Mencap, said: ‘Mencap's position on the cost of living crisis is simple – don't forget about people with a learning disability. The Government, the energy regulator and providers and local authorities must step up support for the 1.5 million people with a learning disability living in the UK.'

He added: ‘Mencap is doing everything we can – we're lobbying government, advising the energy regulator, mobilising our supporters, working with other charities, and making sure we provide accessible information on our website and helpline. But we need the government, policy makers, and private companies to play their part and make sure that people with a learning disability aren't priced out and forgotten.'

SOCIAL CARE

Creative space – a council's secret weapon

By Tom Holley | 31 October 2024

Integrating creative activities in place-making settings offers many benefits that align with council priorities, and helps address multiple challenges, says...

SOCIAL CARE

Next steps for healthy places

By Gemma Hyde | 31 October 2024

Dr Emma Bird and Gemma Hyde highlight a new guide that shows there is much that can be done to create Local Plans that ‘build in’ health at every opportunity

SOCIAL CARE

Put health at the heart of the plan

By Katherine Merrifield | 31 October 2024

A new report suggests current arrangements for devolution limit the effectiveness of action to tackle the factors that shape health, with knock-on implicatio...

SOCIAL CARE

Rebuilding the state

By Barry Quirk | 30 October 2024

Barry Quirk looks at the lessons from recent books about the state of Britain, including the changes that need to happen to disperse power from Whitehall

Popular articles by William Eichler