Independent Living Fund judgment will take away ‘basics of life’

The High Court today rejected a legal challenge against the government’s decision to close the Independent Living Fund (ILF).

This fund, which is being abolished by the government, gives disabled people the support needed to live independently in the community.

Merry Cross of Left Unity said:

“This could mean thousands of people being returned to institutions with all the abuse risks that involves.

“ILF funds personal assistance – often needed to get up in the morning – and personal care. These are the basics of life. Some people won’t be able to go to work any more.

“There’s a pretence that local councils can do this but they will get no ringfenced funding. The councils themselves know it is going to be a disaster.

“The government need to come clean about their real intentions, to push disabled people to the very outer margins of society.

“If society wants us to continue to contribute as we have been doing, more of us will have to overcome our terror of being pushed back into institutions in order to fight on.”

For interviews and more information contact press@leftunity.org

Notes for editors

1. Left Unity is the new party of the left in Britain. Founded in November 2013, it has around 2,000 members and 50 branches across the country.