Latest news
News archive: 2010
10 December 2010 - LDC mentioned in the House of Lords
The Learning Disability Coalition and Mencap have been mentioned by Baroness Hollins in a House of Lords debate on social care.
You can read the debate here.
7 December 2010 - Ask your councillor to protect the frontline!
The Government has decided how much money it will allocate to local authorities, and it is now up to local authorities to spend the money that they have been given on social care. Click here to ask your councillor to protect the frontline!
6 December 2010 - Leadership course for young people with a disability
Common Purpose is running a leadership course aimed at young people with a disability. It will teach them the leadership qualities and skills needed for different sectors, and will give them the experience they need to become the leaders of the future.
Click here for more information or visit their website here
30 November 2010 - LDC/Mencap/Institute of Public Care publishes a new report
The Institute of Public Care, with support from the Learning Disability Coalition and Mencap, has published a report into 'where has the money gone?' for people with a learning disability. It looks at public spending on learning disability services for the last few years and how this money has been spent.
Read the full report here
2 November 2010 - Brent Mencap hold a Frontline Protest
2 November 2010 - Campaigning against changes to Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
The Government has announced cuts to DLA which will mean disabled people who live in residential care are unable to visit their friends and family.
With Mencap we are calling on the Government to reverse this decision. Email your MP here and make your voice heard!
26 October 2010 - Anthea Cox, Director of the Learning Disability Coalition speaks at a joint APPG on disability
Anthea Cox spoke on social care and welfare before participating in a question and answer session with Maria Miller MP, Minister for Disability.
Read the full speech here.
22 October 2010 - The Learning Disability Coalition responds to the Comprehensive Spending Review
Members of the Learning Disability Coalition have written a joint letter in response to Wednesday's Comprehensive Spending Review:
"Learning Disability Coalition members are concerned that following the comprehensive spending review the lives of people with learning disabilities will continue to be undervalued and underfunded. People with learning disabilities rely upon a range of different services and welfare support in order to live independent lives and make choices the rest of us simply take for granted.
The government has commited to providing £2bn per year to lessen the impact of the cuts for social care support. There is, however, a danger that people with learning disabilities who are of working age will not benefit from this funding, which is likely to be targeted towards the crisis in support for older people.
Local authorities are facing an increased demand for social care support while being expected to cut their budgets by 28% over the next four years. Under these circumstances, even with the identified additional funding, councils will continue to struggle to provide the social care support that people need.
The determination of the government to drastically reduce the welfare budget will also acutely add to the hardship faced by some of the most vulnerable people. Caution should be exercised in the reform of welfare to ensure people with learning disabilities are not doubly disadvantaged.
Andrew Lee People First and co-chair of the Learning Disability Coalition
Mark Goldring Mencap and co-Chair of the Learning Disability Coalition
Mark Gray Association for Real Change
Keith Smith British Institute of Learning Disabilities
Carol Boys The Down's Syndrome Association
Barbara McIntosh Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities
Mark Lever National Autistic Society
Brian Hutchinson Real Life Options
Gillian Morbey Sense
Barbara Draper The National Forum for People with Learning Difficulties
Caroline Farnes National Family Carer Network
Victor Adebowale Turning Point
Su Sayer United Response
Douglas Quinn Voyage"
The full text has been published in the Guardian and can be found here.
20 October 2010 - Stories From the Frontline featured in the Guardian
James' story from 'Stories from the Frontline' is featured in an article in today's Guardian.
Read the full article here.
Read our publication 'Stories from the Frontline' here.
13 October 2010 - The Learning Disability Coalition's Social Care in Crisis report features in the Society Guardian
Todays Society Guardian reports on the difficulties that disabled people face in trying to leave care, the article features statistics from the Learning Disability Coalition's Social Care in Crisis report.
You can see this article here
5 October 2010 - Frontline Protest in Birmingham
The Learning Disability Coalition, Sense, the National Autistic Society, Mencap and a local People First group have held a Frontline Protest during the Conservative party conference in Birmingham.
The protest was covered in the Birmingham Post. The article can be found here.
28 September 2010 - The Learning Disability Coalition has held another Frontline protest in Manchester
The Learning Disability Coaliton with local campaigns groups from People First and Mencap have held a Frontline Protest in Manchester during the Labour party conference as part of our Protect the Frontline campaign
23 September 2010 - Princess Royal Trust for Carers has published the results of a survey of carers
The survey details the responses of 786 carers and reveals that 89% of carers are financially worse off as a result of caring and 1/3 do not want to wake up in the mornings because they are worried about their financial situation.
You can see the results of the survey here and 10 things every carer should know here
21 September 2010 - Learning Disability Coalition holds frontline protest in Liverpool during the Liberal Democrats party conference
As part of our Protect the Frontline campaign the Learning Disability Coalition along with local campaigns groups from Liverpool held a Frontline Protest outside Liverpool Town Hall during the Liberal Democrats party conference.
You can see coverage from the protest here
20 September 2010 - Learning Disability Coalition publishes our Stories from the Frontline
The Learning Disability Coalition today launches our Stories from the Frontline publication which tells the stories of 7 people who rely on vital social care services.
Read Stories from the Frontline here
8 September 2010 - Learning Disability Coalition launches Protect the Frontline campaign
On the steps of HM Treasury, the Learning Disability Coalition launched its new Protect the Frontline. Each campaigner, some of whom use social care support, held up boards which displayed the vital frontline service which they fear will be badly affected by the Government's spending cuts and Comprehensive Spending Review.
We believe that social care support is a key frontline service and should be protect from spending cuts.
Keep checking the website for more information about how you can get involved in the campaign.
See the photos here
Read the press release here
7 September 2010 - Social Care in Crisis: Learning Disability Coalition Local Authority Survey
In the spring of 2010, the Learning Disability Coalition wrote to every Local Authority in England to ask them to fill out a survey about the funding pressures that adult social care was under in their area. We discovered that even before the Emergency Budget and the Comprehensive Spending Review that the financial situation faced by Local Authorities was extremley difficult.
Of the Local Authorities who responded, 84% said that their financial situation was difficult and 10% said that they were already making cuts.
Read the full report here.
3 September 2010 - Work Capability Assessment
A number of organisations including the Learning Disability Coalition, Papworth Trust, Crisis, RNID and Mind have sent a joint letter to Professor Harrington, who is chairing the Work Capability Assessment review.
You can read the letter here
17 August 2010 - Cutswatch
Have you or the person you care for been affected by cuts in spending? We want to hear about what has happened, where, when, and what the consequences have been for you or your relative.
Email us at cutswatch@learningdisabilitycoalition.org.uk to let us know.
10 August 2010 - Visiting Turning Point
A few weeks ago our interns, Laura and Jacqueline, visited a service for people with learning disabilities run by Turning Point. It was a great opportunity to visit a well-run service, and it was a really exciting time to visit as they are in transition from residential care homes to supported living.
Click here to read Laura's blog of the visit
5 August 2010 - Internship opportunity
Do you want to get into campaigning? Are you passionate about improving the lives of people with a learning disabilities?
We are looking for a Campaigns and Policy Intern to help us in our work fighting for better funding for services for people with learning disabilities.
More details, including how to apply can be found here.
26 July 2010 - Community Care reports on councils making changes to their eligibility criteria
Due to budgetary pressures councils are considering increasing their eligibility criteria to critical only. Currently 72% of councils have set their eligibility threshold at substantial. However, this is set to increase especially in 2011 as spending cuts take effect.
Read more here.
14 July 2010 - Mencap's DLA online survey
In response to the Government's plans to introduce a medicial assessment for the Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Mencap are asking people who receive DLA to complete an online survey so they can find out more about how people spend the care component of DLA. Please click here to complete the survey.
13 July 2010 - Our response to the Law Commission's consultation on adult social care
The Learning Disability Coaltion has responded to the Law Commission's consultation on adult social care. Please go to the 'Policy & statistics' section of our website to read our response.
30 June 2010 - The Guardian reports on the contribution of older carers
More than 150,000 adults with a learning disability live with parents aged over 70. David Brindle reports on the contribution which older carers make and asks how the state will cope once they're gone.
Read more here
22 June 2010 - The emergency budget: changes to the Disability Living Allowance
Applicants to the Disability Living Allowance will face medical assessments from 2013-14, according to Chancellor George Osborne.
For the 2.9 million people who claim Disability Living Allowance, these changes are very alarming and may reduce the number of people who are eligible to claim it.
Read more about the changes made by the budget here
18 June 2010 - Independent Living Fund is no longer accepting new applicants
The Independent Living Fund will not be accepting new applicants for the rest of the year, in order to prevent a further funding crisis.
Read more here
Read the Learning Disability Coalition's response here
17 June 2010 - New BBC research into possible council cuts
Research by the BBC into possible areas of council cuts suggests that transport and adult social care are likely to be the biggest victims of spending cuts. A number of councils indicated that they would not be able to maintain their current level of service provision.
Read more here
14th June 2010 - Government grants to adult social care will not be cut in 2010-11
The Minister for Care Services, Paul Burstow has confirmed that Government grants to adult social care will not be cut this year. In 2010-11, the Government will fund over £1.4 billion of grants to local government for adult social care. However, as ring-fencing has been removed from many grants to local government, there is a risk that cuts will still happen at a local level.
Read more here
11th June 2010 - Ask your MP to protect the frontline
The new Government has promised although budget cuts are coming, it will protect key frontline services. We are campaigning to make sure that social care services are recognised as frontline services and do not experience any more cuts. The emergency budget will be announced on 22nd June, so we have until then to get our message to politicians. Please contact your MP to let them know how important frontline social care services are.
Click here to email your MP
10th June 2010 - Supporting People budget facing cuts of up to 20%
Councils are warning that Supporting People housing projects may face cuts of up to 20% this year as part of the reduction in funding to local Government. Supporting People had been allocated £1.64 billion for this year is in danger of being cut because it is no longer ring-fenced. This means that it could be cut by up to £300 million.
Read more here
8th June 2010 - George Osborne warns of further cuts
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, has warned that there will be cuts in departmental spending of 15-20% over the next four years. He has also announced that Cabinet ministers will be expected to account for every pound which their department spends.
Read more here
25th May 2010 – Queen’s Speech
The Queen set out the changes that the new Government will make in the year to come. It was said that ‘a commission will be appointed to consider a sustainable long-term structure for the operation of social care’. This means that reform of the social care system is likely. The Government has promised that frontline services will not be cut and we will hold them to that.
Read it here
24th May 2010 - Treasury announces cuts of £6.2 billion
This will include reducing the money given to Local Government by £1.165 billion and taking away the ring fence protection from £1.7 billion worth of Local Government grants.
Read more here
20th May 2010 - Stories from the frontline
The Learning Disability Coalition wants to hear about your stories and experiences of frontline learning disability services.
Contact us here to tell us your story.
17th May 2010 - Learning Disability Coalition is featured in the Guardian
The Learning Disability Coalition, as part of the Care and Support Alliance, has had a letter published in the Guardian which calls for clarification on the issue of social care and funding.
Read it here
5th May 2010 - Government announces £6billion worth of cuts between 2010-11
The new Government has announced that it will make £6billion worth of cuts over the next financial year. We will hold them to their promises that these cuts will not affect frontline services.
Read more about the new Government's proposals here
28th April 2010 - Learning Disability Coalition submits Care Quality Commission response
The Coalition has submitted its response to the Care Quality Commission Assessments of Quality.
Read it here
15th April 2010 - Coalition highlights need for social care discussion in election debates
The Coalition, as part of the Care and Support Alliance, appeared in The Guardian’s letter page on Tuesday emphasising the urgent need to reform our care and support system. The statement warns that the party leaders cannot ignore this important issue in the forthcoming TV debates.
It has also been sent to all party leavers and health spokespeople.
You can read the statement here
(See statement signed ‘Carers UK… and 25 others’)
1st April 2010 - White Paper launched
The White Paper, Building the National Care Service, was launched this week. The Coalition has signed a joint statement as its response to the White Paper.
You can read the statement here
29th March 2010 - Coalition presents ‘Stop the Cuts!’ petition to Downing Street
The ‘Stop the Cuts!’ petition, which has been signed by 9,408 people, calls on the Government to ensure there is enough money getting through the system to honour the promises it has made for more choice and control for the 1 million people living in England with a learning disability.
You can read the press release here
15th March 2010 - Down's Syndrome awareness week
This week is Down's Syndrome awareness week. For more information about the Down's Syndrome Association and the awareness week, click here.
15th March 2010 - United Response letter in The Guardian.
United Response, a member of the Learning Disability Coalition, speaks about the abuse of people with a learning disability.
You can read the letter here
12th March 2010 - Internship opportunity
Want to get into campaigning?
We are looking for an intern to help us in our work fighting for better funding for services for people with learning disabilities.
More details, including how to apply, can be found here
11th March 2010 - Easy-read guide for trustees
The Charity Commission has published an easy-read guide for trustees of charities who have a learning disability. The guide was produced in partnership with one of the Learning Disability Coalition's members, Mencap.
You can view the guide here
11th March 2010 - Coalition publishes letter in The Times
The Learning Disability Coalition has had its letter published in The Times. The letter talks about how the needs of people with a learning disability of working age are being ignored.
You can read the letter here
26th February 2010 - Valuing People Now – one year on
Capita Conferences are holding an event on Monday 22nd March to discuss the progress made on Valuing People Now since it has been put into practice.
Anthea Cox, Director of the Learning Disability Coalition, will be speaking at the Conference.
Read more about the conference here
25th February 2010 - Learning Disability Coalition submits Personal Care at Home Bill consultation response
The Coalition has submitted its response to the Personal Care at Home Bill.
Read it here
1st February 2010 - Coalition seeks Campaign and Policy Support Officer
The Learning Disability Coalition is seeking a Campaign and Policy Support Officer. Click here to download the Job Description and Person Specification for this post.
Application form available here
21st January 2010 - Support Mencap's "Get My Vote" campaign
Mencap's campaign calls on politicians to make their election campaigns more accessible by cutting down on jargon and using easy read and other accessible forms of information.
You can support Mencap's campign by taking action here
20th January 2010 - United Response launches Every Vote Counts report
United Response are launching their "Every Vote Counts!" report today at the House of Commons.
You can find out all about the Every Vote Counts campaign here
13th January 2010 - MP mentions Coalition in Committee stage of Bill
The Coalition and its Director, Anthea Cox, were mentioned by Stephen O'Brien MP in the Committee stage of the Personal Care at Home Bill (12th January).
Read what was said here
13th January 2010 - Invite your local candidates to the Sense training events
In the run up to this year's general election, Sense are running training events around the country for parliamentary candidates. The events will train candidates in:
- - How to ensure disabled people can vote
- - How to make their campaign is accessible
- - How to use appropriate language
Click here to invite your local candidates to attend one of these events.
News Archive: