Life for disabled families like ‘living on a Helter Skelter’
20.07.05

Government Minister and Tory Leadership contender
to address launch of hard-hitting report

The downrating and withdrawal of key benefits for families with disabled children is causing considerable fluctuations in incomes and high levels of stress and ill health, says a report launched today at the House of Commons.

Helter Skelter: Families, disabled children and the benefit system has been written by Gabrielle Preston of the Child Poverty Action Group and is based on work with disabled families and their experience of applying for Disability Living Allowance (DLA). Gabrielle was formerly Policy Officer at Disability Alliance.

The launch of Helter Skelter is being hosted by Conservative Member of Parliament David Cameron and will be addressed by Anne McGuire MP, the Minister for Disabled People at the Department for Work and Pensions.

Chief Executive of the Child Poverty Action Group, Kate Green OBE said,

'Families with disabled children are susceptible to poverty because low income is compounded by high costs. Combining caring with employment is extremely difficult so families are heavily reliant upon benefits.

'Helter Skelter shows the real everyday problems families with disabled children have in getting the financial support they so desperately need.'

Helter Skelter reports problems encountered by families, which include lack of information about what they are entitled to, the lack of knowledge of officials making decisions which often results in benefits being downrated or removed, and the inability of DLA to meet the extra costs that families with disabled children have.

'Helter Skelter is a hard hitting report.' Kate Green said. 'Whereas the Government does recognise that disability is both a cause and a consequence of poverty, and it has introduced a number of significant improvements, additional financial support is not getting to the families who need it most.

'Much more needs to be done to ensure that families who are most at risk of poverty receive the disability benefits to which they are entitled. The system should generate financial security, not anxiety and stress.

'I am encouraged that Helter Skelter makes a number of key recommendations including the need to increase basic incomes for families with disabled children.'

For further comment:
Ashley Riley
Press Officer
Tel. 020 7812 5216
Mobile 07811 324339
Email ariley@cpag.org.uk

Notes:

• Helter Skelter: Families, disabled children and the benefit system will be launched from the Jubilee Room at the House of Commons on Wednesday 20 July 2005 from 3pm to 5pm. Press welcome.
• The event is hosted by David Cameron MP. Anne McGuire MP, the Minister for Disabled People will address the launch. Both Members of Parliament will be available for comment on the day.
• The families involved in the study will also be in attendance and will be available for comment on their experiences.
• Helter Skelter: Families, disabled children and the benefit system is written by Gabrielle Preston in conjunction with the Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion (CASE) at the Economic and Social Research Council.
• Copies available on request.