Peer on attack over independence myth

Disabled people face a “scandalous” lack of legal protection against moves to force them into institutional care, peers were told.

Lord Ashley of Stoke, who has tabled a bill to support independent living, claimed that disabled people’s rights to services mainly meant help with being washed and fed rather than independence.

The Labour peer’s Disabled Persons (Independent Living) Bill had its second reading last week and contains measures to help disabled people live more independently.

These include an entitlement to the same care package if they move to another council’s jurisdiction.