The UK Government is failing disabled people over the cost of living and energy crisis, a charity has warned. Disability equality charity Scope said that lives are at risk as disabled people fear they will be unable to afford to heat their homes this winter.
It comes amid uncertainty over whether the UK Government will commit to its promise to increase benefits in line with inflation. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt was asked to give a commitment to benefits uprating on four separate occasions during his statement to Parliament on Monday, but could not, explaining that the UK Government would "make decisions as soon as we can".
Scope said it is calling for the UK Government to offer direct financial support immediately as it released the results of a recent poll of 1,000 disabled adults, which found that 63% were worried about being able to pay their heating bills. This proportion rose to 72% when it came to those who are eligible for the UK Government’s £650 cost of living payment, which will go to those on means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit and Pension Credit.
