Battle over Rustington man’s benefits finally won

Dozens of residents at St Bridget’s Leonard Cheshire Disability home, in Ilex Close, were elated to hear the news that the minister for disabled people, Maria Miller, had heeded their pleas to save the much-needed mobility allowance from being axed, on Thursday.

Under proposed reforms to the Welfare Reform Bill, the mobility element of the disability living allowance (DLA), would have been removed, as part of the coalition government’s spending cuts.

Long-term St Bridget’s resident Jackie Postance, 47, who suffers from spina bifida, said: “We’re all overjoyed by the decision.

“If the cuts had gone ahead, many of us would have been trapped in our homes, unable to get out because we couldn’t have afforded to.

“So we’re all very pleased about this announcement. But, personally, I’m still apprehensive. The battle isn’t over until everything has gone through the final reading stage.”

At the beginning of the year, Ms Miller was invited to visit the home, accompanied by MP and campaign supporter Sir Peter Bottomley, whose Worthing West constituency includes Rustington.

During the trip, Ms Miller heard of the plight facing many disabled people at the home, if the mobility element was cut.

Jackie said: “It was brilliant for us to talk to Maria Miller face-to-face. I think that helped make all the difference.”

Julie Stainton, campaigns co-ordinator at Leonard Cheshire Disability, said: “This is a stunning victory for all the residents at St Bridget’s, and across the country, who have battled so determinedly against the proposed cut of the mobility component of the DLA.”

The minister’s decision followed months of consultation with disabled people and disability organisations.

She said: “The reasoning behind the original decision was to ensure there were no overlaps in funding leading to double payments.

“We found a complex set of overlapping responsibilities have evolved which have allowed different local authorities to deal with the issue of funding of mobility in care homes in very different ways and some practices which have lead to overlaps in funding.

“However, I have always been clear that I would not make any change that would stop disabled people from getting out and about. Which is why after listening to the strong concerns of disabled people and their organisations, I have taken action and decided not to remove the payment.”

An amendment to the bill will be brought forward to enable the decision to be carried through.