Disabled to 'pay for care'

Disabled people face huge charges to pay for their care

Hundreds of the most severely disabled people could face huge bills to pay for their care under plans being considered by the government.

Some local councils do not charge for help with support services like bathing and dressing but ministers want to see a more even system across Britain.

Disabled campaigners claim the new policy will mean more charges, forcing some to give up their jobs and denying others the chance to work.

But the government says that disabled people will not lose out by the introduction of the new policy.

Dr Ian Basnett, a deputy director of public health, was left disabled from the neck down following a rugby accident.

To do his job he needs constant care and his local council meets the cost.

By preventing me from have a job you are depriving yourself of whatever income tax I would be paying

Cameron Grant

He said that under the new proposals he would have to seriously consider whether it would be worth continuing to work.

"If my income was hit very hard I would have to question seriously if that was the best way for me to continue," he told BBC One's Nine O'Clock news.

Computer software designer Cameron Grant's council already charges for care.

£50,000 a year

He needs two carers to provide 24-hour care which costs more than £50,000 a year.

"My message to the government would be that by preventing me from having a job you are depriving yourself of whatever income tax I would be paying and that's shooting yourself in the foot," he said.

Lord Hunt: "Need to ensure greater consistency"

Campaigners for the disabled believe that under the new policy, expected in the autumn, more councils will charge.

Jane Campbell, of the Centre for Independent Living, told the BBC that most local authorities believe they have to charge to provide basic services.

"Local authorities will see a charging policy as a green light to charge and that's the bottom line," she said.

But Health Minister Lord Hunt denied the new system would affect disabled people.

"What we are doing is issuing systematic guidance to ensure that there's a greater consistency of approach in the future," he said.