Paul_Treloar_
Director of Policy and Services, Disability Alliance, London
Member since 15th Sep 2006
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DLA high rate mobility and blindness
Tue 17-Mar-09 11:30 PM |
I see Shawn has already done a news story on this but i think it is worth highlighting the fact that a significant concession to the Welfare Reform Bill has been introduced today following some very good work from RNIB, that will see blind people becoming entitled to DLA higher rate mobility component from April 2011.
The Tories wouldn't support the amendment because it requires a £45m spending commitment which they said they wanted Government to explain how it could be met - in the context of being alive to the fact that they may actually be required to implement the policy, this may be slightly understandable but the fact that they would not even commit to the principle of the amendment was very telling I thought.
However, it should also be pointed out that this was a Labour MP introducing the amendment, John Robertson, with much support from fellow MPs, rather than Mr Purnell and co. It took a concerted effort of campaigning but it is good to see such progress being made and so many MPs prepared to back this positive move.
Notwithstanding all the political chicanery, it is, in my opinion, very good news that ~26,000 blind people in this country will now be able to receive additional financial assistance on the grounds of mobility related needs. Good news stories are still allowed aren't they
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