The national disability charity Sense has issued a statement in response to today’s Budget delivered by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak MP.
Whilst the Budget included such measures as an extension of the furlough scheme until September, it did not address funding for the NHS, social care or education to support disabled children, adults and their families.
The charity explained that, throughout the pandemic, disabled people have felt that their needs have been forgotten by Government, despite being more severely affected by COVID-19 – nearly six out of 10 people who died with coronavirus in England last year were disabled.
Sense is urging Government to make sure disabled people and their families are kept at the heart of future funding decisions for health and social care, education and welfare benefits to make sure they are not left behind when allocating money for services.
Richard Kramer, Chief Executive of national disability charity Sense, said: “Today’s budget was a missed opportunity to provide funding for disabled people and their families, who have been cut off from their usual care and support for nearly a whole year. For many, this has had a devastating impact on their physical and mental health.
“Unfortunately, apart from the temporary extension of the £20 Universal Credit uplift, there was little support to be seen for disabled people today. And while the uplift is vital news for many, a six-month extension is not enough and doesn’t take into account the millions of disabled people on legacy benefits who have not received any uplift at all so far.
“Immediate and long-term funding for social care must be addressed, along with an education catch-up plan for children with complex disabilities, many of whom won’t be going to school on Monday because they are still shielding and will have been unable to access virtual education for the past year.
“As we look ahead to the long road out of this pandemic, Government must not abandon disabled people again, but make sure they receive the care and support which meets their needs and allows them to live the life they want to lead.”
