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Out of Touch and Out of Compassion

Telford Labour Council: Out of Touch and Out of Compassion

As a dedicated disability advocate, I am appalled, but not surprised by the contemptible refusal of the Labour-led council to engage with our campaign to support disabled people suffering under the weight of the rising cost of living. 

Cllr Middleton & Cllr Carter Telford Labour

Despite multiple attempts to call on Councillors Carter, Middleton, and the entire Labour cabinet to back efforts to lobby their MP and address these urgent issues, they have chosen silence—refusing to answer calls, ignoring emails, and dismissing the very people their policies are supposed to serve.

Telford and Wrekin Labour Cabinet

Meanwhile, on the very same day we posed our question to them, 17th July, the Labour government released not one, but twelve detailed reports exposing the devastating impact of rising costs on disabled people. 

Hidden Reports

These reports had been hidden away for up to three years, by both the previous government, and the current Labour one, and quietly released by Labour, buried under other news! They only came to light thanks to the investigative efforts of charities and DNS (Disability News Service). Had these reports not been uncovered, they might have remained buried, allowing the truth to be obscured from the public eye.

The facts are staggering. Nearly 87% of disabled households are experiencing fuel poverty—struggling to heat their homes, with many forced to turn off heating altogether, risking their health and wellbeing. To put this into perspective, imagine a family with a disabled member, shivering through winter because they simply can't afford to keep warm. Meanwhile, 68% of disabled people are struggling to afford basic food, and over half (57%) are unable to buy essential products for their own care.

This report paints a bleak picture: 56% can't replace household goods when they wear out, 76% are cutting back on non-essential spending, and 72% are reducing fuel purchases—more than double the reduction seen in the general population. Disabled families are also spending less on food (69%) and cutting back on mobility, with 62% reducing their use of cars or public transport—further isolating themselves from community and support networks.

Alarmingly, over half (52%) of disabled people can't afford necessary items for their impairments, and nearly 1 in 5 (19%) are relying on credit just to survive. These figures expose a harsh reality: disabled people are being forced into financial hardship, with many facing a loss of independence, increased isolation, and declining mental and physical health.

The Impact is Heartbreaking


A staggering 81% of disabled working-age adults report deteriorating mental health, and 75% of working-age disabled adults and 66% of pensioners say their physical health has worsened due to the toll of these hardships. The fear, anxiety, and loneliness are palpable—81% of working-age adults and 76% of pensioners feel more isolated than ever.

Despite all this, our Labour council leaders have chosen to turn their backs. Councillor Lee Carter, instead of taking responsibility or even acknowledging these crises, shrugged off our legitimate concerns and delegated the conversation to Cllr Middleton, who merely repeated tired tropes about "cost of living" and "inheriting a broken system", without offering any concrete solutions or leadership. They are more interested in playing party politics than in standing up for the vulnerable in our community.

Blatant Disregard 

This blatant disregard for the suffering of disabled and vulnerable residents exposes the true face of Labour locally and nationally. While the government and councils sit on crucial data and ignore the voices of those most affected, the Green Party stands ready to hold power to account, demand action, and champion the rights of disabled people.

It is time for genuine leadership—time for Labour to stop putting party before people. The silence and inaction of Carter, Middleton, and the entire Labour cabinet are a betrayal of their duty. They have publicly outed themselves as out of touch, indifferent, and unwilling to stand up for those in greatest need.

We call on residents to remember this when they vote. The Labour Party’s failure to respond, to listen, or to act in the face of such overwhelming evidence is shameful. The Green Party will continue to fight for a fairer, more compassionate Telford and Wrekin—and we urge every one of you to hold Labour to account for their disgraceful neglect of disabled people and their families.

The time for excuses is over. The time for action is now.


Mark Webster 

Disabilities Officer 

The Green Party 

Telford and Wrekin 

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