Islington Council ringfences funding for vulnerable disabled residents
Islington Council has agreed to ringfence vital financial support for vulnerable disabled residents who were previously supported by the Independent Living Fund (ILF). The ILF paid for disabled people to live as independently as possible, enabling people to buy their own care and support.
The Government announced in June 2015 that it would scrap the ILF and instead make the funding directly available to councils.
Earlier this month it confirmed this funding will be made available to local authorities for the next four years, from 2016-2020.
The money is not ring-fenced – meaning councils are free to spend it on other services – but Islington has today committed to using the funds solely to support its most vulnerable residents to continue to live as independently as possible.
Islington Council’s Deputy Leader and executive member for health and wellbeing, Cllr Janet Burgess, said: “Islington Council has long since been on the side of our most vulnerable residents in the face of the Government’s benefit cuts, which threaten disabled people’s ability to exercise independence in their lives.
“The ILF played a vital part in helping to enable many of our disabled residents to lead the lives they want and value.
“While it is a shame that the ILF no longer exists, it’s good news we will continue to receive money to this end for the next four years.
“I made the pledge some time ago that we would use the funds we were allocated for ILF on those people who have always needed it. I am very pleased to confirm that we will continue to do this for as long as the Government continues to pass on the funds.”
General Manager of Disability Action in Islington (DAI), Andy Greene, said: “DAI is very pleased at the council’s decision to ringfence this funding for former ILF recipients. This funding will enable that group to continue to live independently and exercise choice and control over their support. We urge all local authorities to follow this example.
“We would, however, draw attention to the proposed significant cuts to the funding over the four year period, imposed by central government. This won't help social care users or councils such as Islington, who already face unprecedented cuts to their budgets under this and the previous governments. And we ask again that funding is maintained at appropriate levels for the duration to minimise the impact on wider social care budgets, which are under enormous strain.”
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