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Threat to disability benefits will undermine social care reforms

16 November 2009

The Parkinson's Disease Society has responded to the consultation on the Adult Social Care Green Paper, Shaping the Future of Care Together

It's unfortunate that positive proposals for a new care system are undermined by threats to scrap Attendance Allowance to help pay for it.

Steve Ford, Chief Executive

Steve Ford, our Chief Executive, comments:

"People with Parkinson's have been let down by a social care system in crisis for too long.

"It's unfortunate that positive proposals for a new care system are undermined by threats to scrap Attendance Allowance to help pay for it.

Our Big Care Questionnaire

"Our Big Care Questionnaire, a survey of our members of working age, found that only 5% supported the replacement of Attendance Allowance by a National Care Service.

"Nearly two-thirds (62%) stated that Attendance Allowance should not be abolished under any circumstances.

"While we welcome the vision of a National Care Service, our findings warn the Government that scrapping Attendance Allowance and other disability benefits could be detrimental to the independence of people with Parkinson's.

"It is also vital that the Government includes support for carers as a principle underpinning the National Care Service, and publishes a timetable for its review of carers' benefits."

Find out more

Visit our social care reform page to read our full response to the Green Paper and to other social care consultations.