15 December 2009
Action for M.E. has received a letter from the Minister for Disabled People, Jonathan Shaw, confirming that any changes to disability benefits will only aim to improve support for disabled people.
The letter comes after Sir Peter Spencer wrote to Yvette Cooper, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and others in August, asking for clarification on aspects of the Green Paper, Shaping the Future of Care Together.
In September, Sir Peter received a reply from Phil Hope MP, Minister of State for Care Services, as the Minister responsible for this policy area.
Sir Peter's latest response, from the Minister for Disabled People, says:
"It is important to note that we will only make changes to disability benefits if we are certain that by doing so we can better support disabled people, and in a way that draws on the best features of current disability benefits - where everyone can have a cash budget to spend on services they want. If we make any changes, we want to ensure that people receiving any of the relevant benefits at the time of the reform will continue to receive an equivalent level of support protection."
