The government’s decision to close the Independent Living Fund (ILF) will result in the loss of dignity and independence for disabled people, a High Court will hear today.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission is intervening in a Judicial Review about the decision to reduce support for disabled people. The case (Pepper & Aspinall v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions) follows a successful appeal against the move last year.
The Commission said the closure of the fund undermines the UK’s international commitments to support disabled people.
Rebecca Hilsenrath, the Commission’s chief legal officer, said: ‘Fairness, dignity and respect are values we all share. Even if local authorities are given money in compensation, the closure of the Independent Living Fund will result in loss of dignity and independence for many ILF recipients.
‘When the closure of the Fund was considered previously, the Court of Appeal found that insufficient consideration had been given to the consequences, which are potentially very grave for some recipients. The extent of the impact is still unclear, but if the closure goes ahead it will be a regressive step in terms of the right of disabled people to live independently.’
