Comprehensive Spending Review presents challenges for disabled children and families

26 June 2013

Campaigners are concerned by cap on welfare spending and lack of focus on children's needs within additional social care spending

The Every Disabled Child Matters campaign is concerned that the cap on welfare spending announced in the Comprehensive Spending Review could affect disability benefits in the future. In addition, while welcoming further funding for social care coming from the NHS budget, EDCM is concerned about whether this will ensure young disabled people get the support they need.

Srabani Sen, EDCM Board member, said:

"We are very concerned about the announcement of a welfare spending cap, particularly as the cap will take account of and apply to disability benefits, which are vital to disabled children and their families. Disability benefits have already been cut dramatically in the context of the welfare reform agenda and we would not want to see any further cuts being made. There is very little detail in the Spending Review on what this will mean in practice, and we would be gravely concerned if disability benefits would be limited further as a result of the cap being reached."

"EDCM welcomes the additional £2 billion announced today from the NHS towards a pooled health and social care budget. However, we are concerned about the lack of focus on young disabled people in this context and would like to highlight the importance of social care support for them and their families to enable them to stay healthy and participate in society."

For more information have a look at the EDCM Supporter Briefing on the Spending Review.

Notes to Editors

1. Every Disabled Child Matters is the national campaign to get rights and justice for every disabled child. It is run by four leading organisations working with disabled children and their families: Contact a Family, Council for Disabled Children, Mencap and the Special Educational Consortium. Find out more at www.edcm.org.uk