FAMILIES raising disabled or seriously ill children are struggling to survive due to the scale of the cost-of-living crisis, a study revealed today leading a disability rights group to accuse the government of back-door eugenics.<\/p>\n
Nine in 10 of families with a disabled child are struggling or falling behind on their regular household bills, a survey by Family Fund found.<\/p>\n
Many are forgoing living essentials, such as food and heating, as well as basic household equipment, to try and make ends meet.<\/p>\n
More than half of parents and carers report skipping or cutting the size of their meals, a 9 per cent increase since September last year, and 13 per cent say they have had to cut back on items that are essential for their disabled children.<\/p>\n
More than 80 per cent are in debt with 40 per cent reporting they cannot afford to keep their homes warm, a 13 per cent increase since last December.<\/p>\n
On average, families raising a disabled child live on 17,000 a year and spend 60 hours a week in a caring role, with one-third caring for more than 100 hours a week, the charity said.<\/p>\n
Fewer than one in four parents and carers can work full time with more than half not able to work at all.<\/p>\n
The charity is calling for an increase in benefits in line with inflation.<\/p>\n
Linda Burnip of Disabled People Against Cuts warned of the risk of disabled people dying as they have to choose between heating or eating.<\/p>\n
She told the Morning Star: Many disabled adults and children rely on vital equipment such as kidney dialysis machines, various machines that aid breathing, peg feeding equipment, or have a need to store insulin and other essential medicines in fridges.<\/p>\n
All of these must have a power supply to work and without which an expensive and unnecessary hospital admission is the least worstoption.<\/p>\n
The government must introduce a specific tariff for all disabled people and families with disabled children to ensure that they can afford energy costs.<\/p>\n
Frankly not to do so suggests they are pursuing a back-door eugenics policy.<\/p>\n
Poverty Alliance director Peter Kelly called it an injustice that disabled people are more likely to be in poverty, also urgingincreased support.<\/p>\n
We can help free people from the grip of poverty by renewing and rebuilding our social security, providing adequate incomes for everyone.<\/p>\n
Thats even more important for disabled people who face extra barriers when it comes to finding suitable, appropriate work.<\/p>\n
A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said the government was supporting six million disabled people with an extra 150 payment.<\/p>\n
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Disability campaigners accuse government of 'back-door eugenics' as families struggle to survive inflation - Morning Star Online<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" FAMILIES raising disabled or seriously ill children are struggling to survive due to the scale of the cost-of-living crisis, a study revealed today leading a disability rights group to accuse the government of back-door eugenics. Nine in 10 of families with a disabled child are struggling or falling behind on their regular household bills, a survey by Family Fund found. Continue reading