Latest news
News archive: August -October 2007
31 October 2007 - Councils may lose £420 million in social care funding
The Government is due to announce before the end of the year whether it will adopt a new funding approach which underestimates the need for social services in urban areas.
Click here to read London Councils' statement
31 October 2007 - Transparency lacking in personalised care
Writing in Community Care, Simon Heng argues that the gap between policy and practice in adult social care means service users risk losing out.
Click here to read the article
23 October 2007 - MPs debate social care services
Ivan Lewis defends the Government's decision to increase the funding available for social care by only 1%.
Click here to read more
12 October 2007 - People with learning disabilities are people, not 'service users'
Writing in First, the magazine of the Local Government Association, Karen Flood, co-chair of the Coalition, explains why councils should ask service users what they think.
Click here to read the article.
12 October 2007 - Learning disability charities ask for your stories about local service cuts
Click here to read more
10 October 2007 - Comprehensive Spending Review fails to address the needs of people with a learning disability
The LDC comments on the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review, announced by the Chancellor yesterday.
Click here to read what we think.
28 September 2007 - Warning over Scottish funding crisis
In Scotland new research has revealed a funding crisis in the Supporting People programme which will threaten vital services for the vulnerable, reports The Herald.
Click here to read the article.
13 September 2007 - Harrow Council faces Judicial Review
Harrow Council is being taken to the High Court by the Public Law Project over its decision to tighten up its adult care eligibility criteria to meet "critical" needs only.
Click here to read the article.
10 September 2007 - A reflection on trends in councils' budgeted spending
Before the comprehensive spending review (CSR) is released later in the year, the Local Government Chronicle looks at how councils in England are prioritising their spending for the year ahead, 80% of council funding comes from central government.
Click here to read the article.
7 September 2007 -
Learning Disability Coalition comments on Harrow council's removal of support from vulnerable adults.
Click here to download the press release.
3 September 2007 - The LDC has recently presented to the Local Government Association Community Wellbeing Board, making the case for the Board to choose people with learning disabilities as a priority for next year.
Click here to download the presentation.
30 August 2007 - Supporting People, the results
Read the latest research on the impact of the Supporting People programme on housing and support for adults with a learning disability.
Click here to download the research document.
28 August 2007 - Modernisation - an excuse to cuts costs?
Louise Tickle at Community Care asks whether the modernisation of day services is just an excuse to cut costs.
Click here to read the article.
13 August 2007 - Harrow Council latest to slash community care budget
Harrow Council has decided to introduce charges for day services as well as restricting funding to 'critical only', leaving those with 'substantial' needs at great risk. Under "Fair Access to Care" guidelines, 'substantial needs' are when abuse or neglect has occurred or will occur. Cick on the links below to read the articles in the Harrow Times and Community Care.
9 August 2007 - High level research needed to understand long term funding requirements for learning disabilities. Why are demands for a "Wanless" into learning disabilities growing? What is a Wanless and why should it clarify whether Government's promises to people with learning disabilities can be delivered within existing funding?
For more information on this complex, but crucial issue click here to read the full article on the Community Care website (Page 30-31 in printed edition).
8 August 2007 - Advocacy group for ethnic minorities in Dudley hit by new charges. The survival of the APNA group in Dudley is threatened by the introduction of charges for their members. The self advocacy group supports ethnic minorities and also runs courses (for example on independent living) and social activities. It has been active for around 5-6 years. Please see the attached article contributed by People First for more information.
6 August 2007 - LDC member, Mencap, fights proposed learning disabiliy cuts by East Riding Council. Click here to read Mencap's letter to the East Riding Mail. If you would like more information, please contact Mencap press officer jaine.barry@mencap.org.uk or call 0207 696 5603.
2007/8
News archive: November 2007 - January 2008
2007
News archive: August - October 2007