Judges considering Anne’s challenge
Disabled rights campaigner Anne Pridmore, from Market Harborough, is challenging in the High Court the Government decision to scrap the Independent Living Fund.
Anne Pridmore, of Harborough, who is challenging the Government’s decision to scrap the Independent Living Fund will have a judgement by next month.
A High Court hearing took place in London last Wednesday and the court has now retired to consider the facts of the case.
Anne, of East Street, Harborough, receives about half of her benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions through the ILF.
The fund works by giving disabled people money which can be used to hire an assistant or extra care to allow them to lead independent lives.
But the Government decided to close it to new members in 2010 and, following a consultation last year, decided to scrap it completely by 2015.
The money will be given directly to local authorities instead, but will not be ring-fenced, leaving campaigners fearing cash-strapped councils will decide to spend it elsewhere.
Anne said this will leave the 18,500 people who benefit from the fund left having to rely on relative or charity in order to continue living independently.
Anne (73) and her fellow campaigners believe the consultation held last year ahead of the Government’s decision over the ILF was unfair because it pre-supposed the fund would be scrapped.
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Weather for Harborough
Tuesday 21 May 2013
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Temperature: 7 C to 15 C
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