UK 'Risks' Breaching Guidelines on Disabled Rights

The UK is at risk of breaching UN guidelines on the rights of disabled people to live independently, according to a government report. The report, from the joint committee on human rights, said the government needs to implement freestanding legislation to protect the right to independent living and explore the ways the current benefit reforms affect the ability of disabled people to live an independent life. The MPs on the committee found that reductions in funding for local authorities, changes to disability living allowance under the Welfare Reform Bill, caps on housing benefit and the closure of the independent living fund risk leaving disabled people without the support they need to live independently. Download a copy of the report from the Parliament website.