Protests at care cuts proposals

Published on Sunday 23 October 2011 01:06

HUNDREDS of protesters gathered in Edinburgh yesterday to demonstrate against proposed welfare cuts for disabled people.

Around 800 people were at a rally at the Ross Bandstand on Princes Street.

Similar events were held across the United Kingdom as part of the Hardest Hit campaign, organised by the Disability Benefits Consortium and the UK Disabled People’s Council.

Speakers included crossbench peer Lord Colin Low, Jay Wakefield, the NUS Scotland disabled students campaign officer, MSP Margaret Burgess and Iain Gray, the leader of the Scottish Labour party.

Gray said: “At the very time we see growing irresponsibility at the top of society, with massive cuts to corporation tax and banks being allowed to get away with it again, disabled people are facing the biggest attack on their rights in my lifetime.”

Ian Brown, from RNIB Scotland, said the rally sent a clear message to the politicians. “We all recognise the crisis that public finances are in, but the most vulnerable people in society shouldn’t have to bear the brunt of it,” he added.

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Dragonlord

Sunday, October 23, 2011 at 10:46 AM

I have every sympathy for your plight but try to think of all those who are starting out on benefits. Imagine if this was 40 years ago, how would you and your son have coped? You may find it easier now but as you say would he have survived without benefits? Many people can only think of their own and very personal lives but there are many who are unable to live ( litterally) without benefits and cuts to these should be the last on the list. MP's wages and expences. Huge bonuses and payouts paid to people when they leave a job or service. These are where the cuts should start, where the impact would be far less noticable.

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The Ayrshire Bard

Sunday, October 23, 2011 at 10:01 AM

I have a seriously disabled son who was born 40 years ago and I am very aware of the huge costs that he has incurred during his lifetime. Constant hospital appointments, perpetual supply of medication, special schooling and transport, goodness knows how many wheelchairs,and now the massive cost of residential care. Thanks to all of these benefits he has lived a reasonably full life and has many friends. Things are certainly getting a bit tighter as the care home struggles to recruit suitable staff on their low wage rates and any outings of the home's transport are now charged at 65p per mile. However, without the assistance of the state over the years he would not have survived so it is difficult for me to get wound up about possible cuts.

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