Forum Topic

Don't Abolish Attenance Allowance

The Government failed to put a cap on care costs but this still seems to be steaming along:https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/attendence-allowance-abolishedAttendance Allowance is used by many to take those taxi rides to places that can no longer be accessed by bus or on foot, it is used to pay for carers and/or for a cleaner (who so often becomes more of a friend and helper) and to visit friends and family who are a long way away.

Philippa Bond ● 3857d5 Comments

DennisYou may not have noticed yet that there comes a point when you are older and disabled that you can no longer walk to the bus stop or get onto a bus.  Free bus passes can only be taken up by the able.  In fact some of the special provisions that were made for the disabled on our transport systems for the Olympics stopped afterwards!!!Many of these people are those that you don't see because they can't get out and about. Cleaners and carers are unlikely to get taxis to work because they can't afford them as they are often not even paid the minimum wage by the companies that they work for or their travelling costs between the people they care for - which is illegal.  The elderly and disabled often don't get enough care because they won't/can't pay the cost.  Councils now outsource their carers.    Not enough tax is being paid to pay for the social care that the elderly and disabled need.  Consecutive Governments fail to deal with this. People are being pushed out of hospital when they are not able to walk across the room safely let alone get to their hospital appointments.  Until and unless this is sorted out and there is better provision many more people will suffer. It has a knock-on effect. 

Philippa Bond ● 3856d

I imagine that what is on most people's minds is the escalating and wholesale, systematic abuse which balloons the cost of this Allowance, and most other Benefits.How this abuse is curtailed is not for me to answer.I am, of course, not accusing any posters on this thread, but abuse clearly has to be addressed, and unfortunately it always seems to be done with a "blunt" instrument which also hurts the innocents.

Brian May ● 3856d

I have to visit Charing Cross Hospital every week or so to attend the Clinics/Departments that are looking after me. My Doctors have advised me to NOT use public transport as the risk of catching an infection that would be seriously detrimental to my health is very high.This means that I have to use other transport which is often taxis. This is what the Allowance is for.

Paul Ambridge ● 3856d

Everywhere is accessible by public transport !!! Why should our tax money pay for cleaners / carers to get a taxi to work ???????

Dennis Brogan ● 3857d

All those extras - the soft heels to prevent pressure sores, the extra washing, the chiropodist, the extra heating...

Philippa Bond ● 3857d