10-24-2009, 02:00 PM
The health secretary, Andy Burnham, will today rule out a controversial plan to scrap disability benefit paid to 2.5 million younger people.
In a major speech on the future of social care, he will say he has decided not to use disability living allowance (DLA) to fund the new national care service.
"We are looking at how we can make this benefit more progressive, so that the money works harder for those in greatest need," Burnham will tell delegates at the national children and adult services conference in Harrogate.
"The important principle is that nobody who is receiving disability benefits will lose out from the reforms.
"As we live longer and as the NHS helps us live longer, we have to look at different ways the NHS can help older people."
More than 18,500 people, supported by a coalition of disability charities, had signed a petition on the Downing Street website calling for DLA and AA to be protected.
In a major speech on the future of social care, he will say he has decided not to use disability living allowance (DLA) to fund the new national care service.
"We are looking at how we can make this benefit more progressive, so that the money works harder for those in greatest need," Burnham will tell delegates at the national children and adult services conference in Harrogate.
"The important principle is that nobody who is receiving disability benefits will lose out from the reforms.
"As we live longer and as the NHS helps us live longer, we have to look at different ways the NHS can help older people."
More than 18,500 people, supported by a coalition of disability charities, had signed a petition on the Downing Street website calling for DLA and AA to be protected.