Sheffield Centre For Independent Living

The Government’s consultation on the assessment criteria for PIP closes on 30 April. The details of the proposed criteria and the consultation are complex, so the Spartacus movement has produced some simple guidance and a set of unofficial user-friendly documents to help DLA claimants and others express their views to the Government. Spartacus is a campaigning movement concerned about all aspects of welfare reform that affect disabled and sick people and is not ‘just’ for disabled people but for anyone who believes that welfare reform must be fair and responsible. Spartacus is urging us to ensure that our members are aware of the consultation and the assistance available from the Spartacus website to respond. Here is the link to the consultation guidance and documents and general information about the Spartacus movement

Last year the Joint Committee of Human Rights, chaired by Dr Hywel Francis MP, conducted an inquiry into the implementation of the right to independent living for disabled people, as guaranteed by Article 19, UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Please find the full report ( including a report summary ) and an Easy Read version of the report attached. The report summary concludes “ While we recognise the exceptional economic circumstances facing the UK, we conclude that there is a risk of retrogression of the UK's obligations under Article 19 as a result of the cumulative impact of spending cuts and reforms. There has been particular concern about the effects of reductions in funding for local authorities, changes to Disability Living Allowance under the Welfare Reform Bill, caps on housing benefit and the closure of the Independent Living Fund, and the way in which these might interact to restrict enjoyment of the right to independent living.”

Online Enquiry Report

Since our previous news item on the Fairness Commission we have received more information about the call for evidence. The Fairness Commission is being established by Sheffield City Council to make a non-partisan strategic assessment of the nature, extent, causes and impact of inequalities in the City and to make recommendations for tackling them. Please find attached a letter from Professor Alan Walker inviting submissions to the Sheffield Fairness Commission and a Call for Evidence document. The deadline for submissions is 4^th April and we would encourage you to take part and submit evidence.

Fairness Commission

Carers Week is a partnership of eight national charities, including the Princess Royal Trust for Carers and Age UK, who come together to fund and organise the largest national awareness week in the UK. Carers Week 2012 takes places from 18^th to 24^th June and the theme is ‘In Sickness and in Health’ .Carers Week is hoping that as many carers as possible will complete their survey, the results of which will inform the partners’ campaigning work. The survey asks:•How does caring impact on your health and wellbeing?•How much have the cuts to local services impacted on your health and wellbeing?•What could really make a difference to your life as a carer?

Carers Week Survey