Mouthpiece: Quality of life not for sale

There have been a lot of headlines about university tuition fees, but the UK coalition government is also planning big changes to the tax and benefit system. From my postbag, I know that among the most controversial are the changes being suggested to Disability Living Allowance (DLA). DLA, introduced 18 years ago. is not means tested and recognises the higher costs of living for people with a disability. It is a benefit for people under 65 who have a physical or mental disability. There are the care and mobility components - and they are paid at different rates depending on how a person is affected by their disability. The changes are due to come into effect in October 2012. But the coalition government is saying it wants to remove the mobility component of DLA for disabled people living in care homes, which plays a vital role in helping them to maintain their independence. These changes would affect 80,000 disabled people, including about 1000 in Edinburgh. Financially, it will leave them up to 2500 a year worse off. People living in means tested residential care could be left with as little as 22 a week to cover their personal care costs. I accept that DLA needs to be looked at. However, it's important that disabled people must have a role in shaping policy. I've written to Maria Miller MP, Minister for Disabled People, raising concerns about the proposed cuts. I've also supported a Parliamentary motioncalling on the government to reverse their decision to cut the mobility component of DLA. We may rightly be sceptical about whether the government will change its plans - but if people tell them what they think, maybe they will. DLA has helped to improve the quality of life for many. If these changes go ahead, it will put back that progress. • Mark Lazarowicz is Labour MP for Edinburgh North & Leith