1 December 2011
Waveney MP Peter Aldous today commented after the anouncement that Disabled people living in residential care will continue to have their additional mobility needs met through Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and the Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

Mr Aldous has been campaigning on behalf of Waveney residents, including those at Shaftesbury Court in Lowestoft to prevent these benefits being cut.

Aldous has written to Maria Miller on a number of occasions asking her to reconsider the specific circumstances which disabled people face. His letters were informed by his visits to Shaftsbury Court and correspondence from Waveney constituents.

Aldous has also used this evidence to press the Minister to reconsider the decision in Debates in the House of Commons.

Listening to the concerns raised by disabled people and disability organisations, the Government first announced that it would not remove the mobility component of DLA from October 2012 from people living in residential care homes and that it would also gather more evidence before making a final decision for PIP.

Following months of consultation with disabled people and disability organisations and reflecting on the findings on the Low Review, the Minister for Disabled People has now announced her decision. When DLA is replaced with PIP in 2013, disabled people in residential care will continue to receive any mobility component of PIP they are entitled to.

Mr Aldous said:

"I am very pleased the Government have listened to people and responded to their concerns. These are some of the most vulnerable people whose benefits are often essential to them mantaining a reasonable standard of living and an active lifestyle."

An amendment to the Welfare Reform Bill will be brought forward to enable this decision to be carried through into PIP.