Capability welcomes the results of the Low Review

Today saw the launch of Lord Low's independent review of the proposed removal of the mobility component of disability benefits from disabled people living in state-funded residential care.

The proposal forms part of the Welfare Reform Bill, which sets out the UK Government's plans to replace Disability Living Allowance with Personal Independence Payment.

The Low Review was launched in July 2011 as an open and independent call for evidence, to complement the Government's own internal review into the proposed changes.  Over the 12 week consultation period, the Low Review received over 800 submissions from individuals, disabled people's organisations, disability charities, residential care providers and local authorities.

Earlier this year Capability, in partnership with Blackwood Housing, commissioned a piece of research from the Strathclyde Centre for Disability Research to examine the impact that the proposal would have on the lives of disabled people living in residential care.  We submitted the report, entitled 'How am I going to put flowers on my dad's grave?' to the Low Review in order to ensure that the voices of disabled people in Scotland were heard.

Richard Hamer, Director of External Affairs says:

"Capability welcomes the report of the Low Review and the recommendation that disabled people living in state-funded residential care should be eligible to receive the mobility component on the same basis as disabled people living in their own home. We are very pleased to see that the review took into account the evidence we submitted, particularly the specific reference to our report's findings in relation to access issues with public transport.

The Government's proposal to remove the mobility component from people living in residential care is one of the most ill-advised of all the welfare reform proposals.  We hope that the Government will take on board the recommendations of the Low Review and we will continue to campaign on welfare reform issues to ensure that the UK and Scottish Governments take heed of the potential impact of the Welfare Reform Bill on the disabled people of Scotland."