Disabled poverty 'hits millions'

Up to three million people with disabilities in the UK could be trapped in poverty, a report has suggested. The study by campaigning group Leonard Cheshire Disability says disabled people are more likely to live in hardship now than a decade ago.

The poverty trap is largely due to higher living costs - which can be up to 25 per cent more than for able-bodied people, the group claims. It is urging the government to develop a strategy to deal with the issue. "Disability poverty is one of the most significant, and most challenging, problems facing the UK today," said Guy Parckar of Leonard Cheshire Disability.

The report, 'Disability Poverty in the UK' finds that disabled people are twice as likely to live in hardship than others. Mr Parckar warns that while deprivation faced by children and elderly people has received much government attention, the hardship of people with disabilities has not been recognised. "The failure to specifically tackle disability poverty represents a gaping hole in the government's otherwise strong record on poverty," he said.

The report says that more than one-third of children living in poverty in the UK live in low-income disabled households.

Labour MP Roger Berry, who has tabled a motion in the Commons calling on the government to tackle disability poverty as a priority, has welcomed the report. Mr Berry, who is the secretary of the all-party disability group at Westminster, said: "It's important to emphasise the urgency of the matter. We need to tackle disability poverty in order to tackle child poverty".

The report adds that, on average, the day-to-day living costs for basics needs such as mobility aids, care and transport for people with disabilities is 25 per cent higher than for others. It says disability poverty is not just about financial constraints but also a lack of opportunity and poor expectations that can result from public attitudes.

The report wants to see a number of changes such as Winter Fuel Allowance being extended to many disabled people. It also wants a review of how disability benefits support those people who are not expected to work. Low levels of employment are trapping people with disability in a cycle of poverty, according to the report.

John Grant, 53, who lives on disability benefits, suffered heart problems after a violent assault in 2002. But despite a wide range of experience including working previously as a firefighter, paramedic and sales representative, he has been unable to find work.

"I want to be self-supporting again. I don't want to be rich. ... There have been times when I never thought I would have something as simple as food in the fridge or a telephone connection," he said. Mr Grant has now joined a Leonard Cheshire Disability/Barclays scheme which allows disabled people to start their own businesses.