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Price Tag of Disability

The Hidden Struggles of Disabled People in Telford: Exposing the Disability Price Tag

The daily life of a disabled person is marked by an ever-present struggle against financial and emotional challenges. 


This struggle is compounded by what is known as the "Disability Price Tag," a concept highlighted in a report by Scope, which reveals the stark reality of the extra costs faced by disabled households.


Understanding the Disability Price Tag

The report by Scope, using data from the Family Resources Survey, found that in the 2022 to 2023 financial year, the additional costs for disabled households continued to rise. By 2024, the average disabled household needs an extra £1,067 each month to maintain the same standard of living as non-disabled households. 


This figure represents a staggering 67% of household income after housing costs and has increased over 11% from £950 the previous year, far outpacing inflation.


The Financial Strain


For disabled individuals in Telford, and across the country, these numbers translate into a harsh reality. As a "severely" disabled person, the monthly financial support includes £434.20 for care and a £416.19 LWCA UC top-up, totaling £850.39. Yet, with the Disability Price Tag at £1,067, there's a monthly shortfall of £216.61, or £2,599.32 annually.


This financial gap limits the ability to get out and seek employment with flexible employers, hinders access to essential outdoor activities for mental health, and restricts the purchase of necessary over-the-counter medications no longer supplied by the NHS. 


Basic needs like heating, lighting, and simply leaving the house become insurmountable challenges. Every task, taken for granted by non-disabled individuals, incurs additional costs for those with disabilities.


Local Government Challenges


The situation is exacerbated by local policies. Since 2020, under the then leader of the Labour led council and now Labour MP for Telford, Shaun Davies, the council started to target the income intended for disability needs provided by the government, for both adults and children, with the result of further diminishing the resources available to disabled individuals and their families, forcung already vulnetable people into even deeper poverty. 

Alarmingly, council officers and Labour councillors are of the opinion that it's acceptable to target disabled children in order to help "keep your council tax the lowest in the midlands"


A National Issue


Life for disabled people under various governments has been a continuous battle. Despite changes in leadership, policies have consistently failed to alleviate the burdens faced by disabled individuals. Even the United Nations has told the UK government that their policies are persecuting disabled British citizens.


The prospect of ongoing policies that mirror the last 14 years leaves little hope for improvement, and fearing the future.


In Telford and across the UK, disabled individuals are fighting for a quality of life that many take for granted. The Disability Price Tag is a glaring indicator of the systemic issues at play. It is crucial for policymakers and society to recognise and address these challenges, ensuring that disabled people receive the support they need to live with dignity and independence.


 Only then can we hope to eliminate the financial and emotional toll that this hidden price tag imposes.

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