Local MP backs Leonard Cheshire's campaign on Disability and Debt

11.49.06am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 19th Dec 2005

Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset & North Poole, is backing a campaign by disability charity Leonard Cheshire to tackle the levels of debt faced by disabled people.

The charity has produced a report, 'In the Balance', which highlights many factors that can contribute to disabled people's experiences of debt, including: lower than average incomes (53% of those surveyed had incomes of less than £10,000 a year); higher than average costs (expensive equipment and adaptations), and lack of understanding on the part of banks and creditors.

Annette Brooke explained,

"Easy access to credit can sometimes be a factor, but for disabled people a significant amount of debt can come not from buying luxury items, but from essential purchases, for example mobility aids, or physiotherapy costs. Given that the onset of a disability often also forces people to leave work, this can leave disabled people particularly vulnerable to spiralling debt which they have little prospect of clearing."

Annette Brooke has signed a parliamentary motion, supported by MPs from across the political parties, highlighting the report, and calling for action to address the issue.

Leonard Cheshire's Head of Policy, John Knight, said:

"We're delighted that Annette Brooke has supported the motion. This is a major issue in Mid Dorset & North Poole and across the whole country. We hope that the support of MPs will persuade both the Government and the financial services industry of the need to work to improve the current situation."

Additional costs faced by disabled people might include: electric wheelchairs, which are not normally provided by the NHS and are often expensive to maintain; hoists, stairlifts, grabrails, accessible baths and other modifications around the home; extra heating and electricity costs often resulting from the fact that disabled people are more likely to spend longer in the home; communication aids for people with sensory impairments; extra costs of providing personal care, or paying for physiotherapy or other medical treatment to improve a condition that is not available through the NHS.

--ENDS--

Notes to Editors:

The full text of the EDM 1078 is:

"That this House notes the massive impact of debt on disabled people, as identified in the report In the Balance, produced by disability charity Leonard Cheshire; and urges the Government, the credit industry and other financial institutions to study the report's recommendations and take action to address the needs of disabled people facing debt problems."

2. Leonard Cheshire (www.leonard-cheshire.org) exists to change attitudes to disability and to serve disabled people around the world. It has been supporting disabled people for almost 60 years and is active in 55 countries. The charity directly supports over 21,000 disabled people in the UK.