Lawyers Argue Local Authorities Should Undertake Re-assessment Before Implementing Cuts To Care

A Freedom of Information request has revealed that more than 100 disabled people in Cumbria have had their funding cut after responsibility has been passed from the government to local authorities.

The request found that out of 202 people who received the Independent Living Fund (ILF), 107 have had their packages reduced since last year – 16 of which had it cut by half.

Yet Cumbria County Council said it was still spending all 2.8 million of the funding for disabled people passed to it by the government.

The ILF was set up to allow people with disabilities to live independently, however it was shut down in June last year and the money is now devolved to councils.

The ILF stopped taking new applicants in 2010 and despite protests and legal challenges, was closed even for existing users last year.

Alex Peebles, solicitor at Irwin Mitchell who acts for individuals and groups in connection to cuts to public services, said: