Spring Statement Response

Ruth Owen, CEO of Leonard Cheshire, said: 

“Today’s announcement gives little spring cheer for disabled people. It still leaves social care chronically underfunded and increases the extent of proposed cuts to disability benefits. The Chancellor confirmed our fears that the welfare reforms are budget-driven, rather than the truly ground-breaking positive reform we all want to see. An equality impact assessment, published by the Government today, projects 1 in 5 disabled households will be worse off by an average of £1,720 per year because of the benefits cuts. If the Government is serious about disabled people, it must remove barriers and not lifelines. The Government must get this right before welfare changes are introduced in 2026. We’ll work with disabled people, scrutinising the details and the many unknowns that are causing anxiety.”  

Media enquiries 

For more information: contact Nick Bishop, via nick.bishop@leonardcheshire.org (available until 5pm). On Friday 28 March please contact Beth Wilshaw via bethany.wilshaw@leonardcheshire.org or  Robert Boyland, Head of Communications, via robert.boyland@leonardcheshire.org / 07712 898 745. Out of hours: 07903 949 388.