Charities report that crime against the disabled is worryingly common. But two years after a law targeting disability hate crime came into force, the police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) are only now facing up to the scale of the problem.
Inequalities in the provision of specialist child mental health services have worsened in the last seven years, a survey shows. The Royal College of Psychiatrists found the number of in-patient beds in England had risen from 844 to 1,128.
Commenting on the new tests for gaining Incapacity Benefit announced by the Government today, Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Danny Alexander MP said:
New incapacity benefit tests are to be introduced, which ministers say will mean fewer sick and disabled people will qualify for being unable to work. Work and Pensions Secretary Peter Hain says the changes, introduced next year, will end "sick-note Britain".
Social care for elderly and disabled people in England is being rationed so severely that councils are supporting only the most needy, campaigners say. The Learning Disability Coalition said three quarters of local authorities had decided to restrict assistance.
Wheelchair users are warning that a new scheme for Bath Spa railway station could put disabled people at risk.
