OUR commitment to help disabled people in living independent lives runs at the heart of our welfare reforms.
It is vital that the right support reaches the people who need it, in the most effective and sustainable way.
The Disability Living Allowance (DLA) gives essential support to many people, including thousands in Nottingham.
I know from the letters I receive from local MPs that disabled people tell us that the claim form is too long, too complex and unclear, leading to widespread inconsistencies in the way DLA supports disabled people with similar needs in different parts of the country.
As if that were not enough, there is no straightforward way of reviewing DLA.
People with short-term conditions can be treated in the same way as those with life-long conditions – with no in-built system of periodic review.
Indeed 20 per cent of those who were awarded DLA in 1992 have never had their needs reviewed.
We support the principles of DLA – providing a non-means tested cash benefit to help people, both in and out of work, with the extra costs incurred by their disability.
But the current system is long overdue for reform, which is why we are proposing to replace it with the Personal Independence Payment.
I want to reassure the thousands of people in Nottingham who receive DLA that their views will be reflected in any changes.
We are undertaking a nationwide consultation with disabled people and representative groups to make sure this support is better focused and goes to people who need it, and that periodic review is part of the assessment process.
Our proposals include an objective assessment of need, which we are developing with the help of disability organisations and disabled people.
The new system will also allow us to reassess those on DLA over time – something that is lacking under the current system – to ensure everyone receives the correct amount as their needs change over time.
The current deeply-flawed and complicated system has resulted in spiralling costs over the years.
In Nottingham the number of people receiving DLA has soared by 19 per cent in just eight years from 16,050 to 19,120.
Nationally the numbers receiving DLA has jumped to nearly 3.2 million from about 2.5 million eight years ago.
Expenditure this year is forecast at �12 billion – which is the equivalent of the Department for Transport's entire budget.
This is why we are proposing major reforms to better reflect the needs of disabled people.
By focusing resources on those who need them, we will continue to provide essential support for disabled people while delivering a 20 per cent reduction in future DLA expenditure – not by taking money away from disabled people, but by reducing expenditure back down to the level it was in 2009/10.
We will help people lead full, active and independent lives by providing cash.
But we will also ensure that we deliver a fairer, more consistent and sustainable benefit that's targeted at disabled people who face the greatest challenges.
We are inviting disabled people and other interested parties to let us know their views.
Readers have until February 14 to let us know what they think about our proposals – to find out more visit www.dwp.gov.uk
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