Monthly news roundup - 17 May 2011

Welfare

Benefits abroad, 5 May 2011

The European Court has come to the decision that the care component of Disability Living Allowance and Carer’s Allowance should be paid to people who move from the UK to another country within the European Economic Area.

http://www.disabilityalliance.org/euro.htm

DLA to be replaced with Personal Independence Payment, 12 April 2011

The new benefit will include regular assessments to ensure that disabled people are receiving the support they need to live independent lives. Like Disability Living Allowance it will be a non means tested cash benefit. It will have two components with two rates and a six month qualifying period with a face to face medical assessment. The transition date is yet to be confirmed.

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/newsroom/press-releases/2011/apr-2011/dwp038-11.sh...

http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/latest-news/1339-dla-abolition-con...

Science and Health

BrainGate could give paralysed people the power of mind control, 17 April 2011

BrainGate is a new system developed by neuroscientist John Donoghue that enables paralysed people to move through thought. ‘Mind computer interfacing’ allows an implant in the brain to be hooked up to a computer, which receives the mental demands. There is huge potential, researchers suggest, for this technology to help paralysed people to walk again.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2011/apr/17/brain-implant-paralysis-mo...

Birmingham council in court over attempt to cut disability care, 21 April 2011

Birmingham City Council has been brought to court over an attempt to cut spending on care services for disabled people. The court agreed that the proposals were in conflict with part of the Disability Discrimination Act and therefore services will not be cut.

http://www.publicservice.co.uk/news_story.asp?id=16141

Disability

Disabled people and supporters march against welfare cuts, 12 May 2011

The march was part of the Hardest Hit campaign, which is against government proposals to cut welfare for disabled people including Disability Living Allowance. The aim of the campaign is to maintain DLA and make sure that Employment and Support Allowance has a fair and effective assessment process that adequately supports people with disabilities.

http://www.ncb.org.uk/edcm/news/news_archive/2011_news_archive/april_201...

Review confirms that councils will not remove duties to support disabled children, 10 May 2011

In April the Department for Communities and Local Government commissioned a review of support for disabled children. The purpose of the review was to ensure disabled children’s rights were safeguarded and the following duties were protected: to be assessed; to receive social care support such as short breaks (respite); and to equal access to education.

http://www.ncb.org.uk/edcm/news/news_archive/2011_news_archive/april_201...