I WAS recently asked by charities Leonard Cheshire Disability and Mencap to chair the Low Review, an independent review into how the personal mobility needs of disabled people living in state-funded residential care are met.

Now that the Low Review has published its findings, I would like to urge the Government to make sure that it protects mobility payments for disabled people and makes the relevant amendments to the Welfare Reform Bill.

It is clear from the 800 submissions made to the review that, if mobility payments were to be removed from disabled people living in residential care, this would lead to a significant loss of independence.

Furthermore, despite earlier suggestions by the Government that there might be an overlap in funding, the review’s findings show that there is no evidence to suggest that vital mobility payments are duplicating local authorities’ funding of disabled people’s social care needs.

Everyone has mobility needs, but many disabled people face additional costs or require support in meeting these needs. It is mobility that enables people to participate in their community, gain an education, and maintain a family life or work. In order to enable disabled people living in residential care to retain choice and control over their lives, it is vital that mobility payments remain.

To find out more about the review visit lowreview.org.uk.

COLIN LOW, Lord Low of Dalston, CBE