Shadow Minister for Communities and Local Government, Mark Isherwood AM, has this afternoon condemned Welsh Government plans to scrap the Welsh Independent Living Grant, describing it as “a betrayal of the rights of disabled people to live independently and make their own decisions” .
The UK Government devolved the Independent Living Fund to the Welsh Government in 2015. The Welsh Government subsequently established the Welsh Independent Living Grant with Local Authorities.
Speaking in the Debate on the Welsh Independent Living Grant, Mr Isherwood referred to the ‘Save the Welsh Independent Living Grant’ Campaign by Wrexham’s Nathan Davies, who he said has emphasised ‘that this is about the difference between staying in bed or getting out of bed, about having dinner or not having dinner, about having control or being controlled’.
He also moved Amendment 2, calling ‘on the Welsh Government to ensure that disabled people are full partners in the design and operation of an Independent Living Fund for Wales which safeguards the rights of disabled people to live independent lives’.
Speaking in the Chamber he said:
“The Independent Living Fund enabled severely disabled people to choose to live an independent life in the community rather than in residential care.
“The Welsh Government announced a 2 year transition period from April 2017, during which all Welsh Independent Living Grant - or WILG - recipients would be required to have this element of their care needs assessed by their Local Authority.
“Scrapping the Grant on 31st March is a betrayal of the rights of disabled people to live independently and make their own decisions.”
Mr Isherwood noted that Welsh Government estimates obtained by disabled campaigners suggest that over 200 former WILG recipients will see their funding cut – and some Welsh Local Authorities admitted to them that a significant proportion of those currently receiving support through the WILG had already had their support packages cut.
He added:
“I Chaired January’s packed meeting of the Assembly Cross Party Group on Disability in Wrexham.
“At this meeting, attendees agreed with the leader of the “Save the Welsh Independent Living Grant” Campaign, Wrexham’s Nathan Davies, that, 'They just don't understand the importance of one word to disabled people – independence - and the impact on mental health and wellbeing, and the ability to interact with society’.
“This was lived experience, straight from the horse’s mouth, and I was asked “to get answers, because time is running out”.
“I subsequently raised this, as promised, with the Welsh Government during the Business Statement here.
“As Nathan Davies stated in his open letter to the new First Minister, “The deep-dive (review) that was recently undertaken by the Welsh Government, to analyse the performance of Local Authorities relating to the WILG transition, is full of errors and quite frankly not worth the paper it is written on. How can an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the end of WILG be conclusive without having consulted disabled people who will be affected?”
Mr Isherwood added:
“In 2017, the UK Government announced that people with a severe lifelong disability, illness or health condition will no longer need to be reassessed for ESA and Universal Credit. In 2018, they announced an equivalent exception for PIP.
However, the Welsh Government announced yesterday that former ILF recipients unhappy with their care and support package will be offered a further assessment. What shocking hypocrisy!”
ENDS