Lib Dems caught out again with another yellow lie on Disability Living Allowance

Anne Wollenberg, who is a recipient of DLA, writes in Disability Now magazine about the mendacity of the Lib Dem promises on DLA during the general election.
http://www.disabilitynow.org.uk/latest-news2/politics-1/cleggs-hidden-agenda-conned-voters/

According to Anne and others who contacted the Lib Dems during the election campaign there were no plans to cut DLA or to move to the 'medical model' of disability, which disability campaigners have argued against for years. Now it appears that they want to move to a simpler medical test and we all know what that means. Let's be clear what DLA is - it is a benefit which is not work related and not income related, but based on your needs and the concept is to assist disabled people to live a full life in the community.

Almost 20% of people on DLA work, I am one of them, and the extra money from DLA assists with mobility and care needs. It is also a gateway benefit, which means that receiving DLA also receive other benefits such as Housing Benefit and Freedom Passes - also many people caring for people on DLA receive Carers Allowance. The removal of DLA from many disabled people would effectively stop them from contributing fully to society, plunge them into poverty and have a huge impact on their mobility. But for the Lib Dems none of these questions are relevant, it just seems to be part of the Orange Book/Tory agenda of saving money and cutting benefits. Ironically it could result in people who are working and receiving DLA no longer being in a position to work as their support system would effectively be removed. DLA was introduced in the early 90s clearly as a part of the 'social model' of disability and was a big step forward for disabled people. It is already quite difficult to claim and there are a mountain of application forms to go through. The proposal to hand over the testing of DLA claimants to ATOS Medical Services, a private company whose testing staff are not medically qualified, and whose wrong decisions re other disability benefits are already clogging up the DWP appeals system, is monstrous.

Disabiled people are going to have to oppose these callous moves in every way possible and I have been pressing for the full involvement of the disabled community in the Coalition of Resistance. As for the Lib Dems, well it would seem from the comments of many disabled people that the infamous statement on their election leaflets "only the Lib Dems can win here" will soon to demonstrated to be as false as their pre-election promises on disability benefits.