Ian Swales MP for Redcar is continuing his campaign on behalf of ME sufferers by hosting a drop-in event for MPs and Peers today in Parliament. The event, in conjunction with the charity Action for ME, will give Parliamentarians the chance to learn more about the condition and to meet some people affected by the disease.
Planned changes to disability benefits will go ahead, the Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith has said, insisting that reform is needed. It has emerged half a million people are to lose the Disability Living Allowance over the next four years. But Mr Duncan Smith told the Daily Telegraph the number of people claiming it had risen by 30% in recent years, with many people "allowed to fester". Labour said he was approaching reform with "contempt and carelessness".
Redcar and Cleveland Labour Run Council have announced that they are considering charging all disabled blue badge holders to park in all council run off street car parks. Of those 25 car parks, there are 79 bays that are specifically marked for disabled badge holders only. All residents who hold blue badges were notified of this possible change by letter today (14th May 2012).
Parents are to be given more financial control over support for children with special educational needs, in a major shake-up of the system in England. The government says it wants to push ahead with proposals announced last year that parents should have a "personal budget" for their children. The changes could also see fewer children in the special needs category.
Welcome to my first article on this website - my aim is to look events from the point of view of disability issues
Cases of osteoarthritis in Britain look set to double to over 17 million by 2030, according to experts. A report by the charity Arthritis Care says the predicted rise is down to the UK's ageing population and growing obesity problem. Experts estimate that by 2030 over half of the UK population will be aged 50 or older and nearly the same proportion will be obese.
