Campaigners to lobby outside County Hall against cuts to disability allowances
They say the changes would push many disabled people further into poverty
Disability campaigners are set to lobby Oxfordshire County Council this morning over changes to adult social care which are expected to save the authority £1.8 million a year.
Oxfordshire Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) will be demonstrating outside County Hall from 9.30am.
The group wants councillors to reverse changes approved by the council's cabinet in July, including a reduction in Disability Related Expenditure allowances and new or increased charges for some services.
Pat Carmody, from Oxfordshire DPAC, said campaigners were concerned about the effect the measures could have on people who are already struggling financially.
"People are in poverty already and these are cuts on top of those," he said.
He warned some disabled people could be left making difficult choices between paying for essential living costs and accessing support.
"It's going to mean that there's disabled people who now have to make the choice between attending a vital appointment at hospital or eating that day, or heating their home that day."
The changes include reducing the standard Disability Related Expenditure allowance from 35 per cent to 25 per cent of relevant disability benefits.
The council is also introducing a £10 daily charge for council-arranged transport and increasing the weekly charge for its independent living technology service to £9.87.
Mr Carmody said campaigners understood councils were facing wider funding pressures but did not believe disabled people should bear the cost.
"Disabled people should not be paying the price for the crisis in local government funding or national funding," he said.
He added that the changes came after years of financial pressures on disabled people and described the latest measures as "incredibly callous".
Campaigners say they have received support from members of the community, trade unionists and some county councillors.
Mr Carmody said the group plans to speak directly to councillors during this morning's lobby.
"We want to speak to councillors. We want to urge them to reverse these cuts," he said.
Councillor Rebekah Fletcher, Cabinet Member for Adults, said: “The difficult decisions Cabinet has taken on Disability Related Expenditure, transport charging and telecare charging have not been taken lightly. We recognise that these changes will affect people who rely on support, and we understand the concerns that have been raised.
"People affected by the changes are being contacted directly and will be supported to understand what the changes mean for them, and what support is available. The council remains committed to ensuring minimal administrative burden to families by retaining the 25 per cent automatic Disability Related Expenditure allowance.
“The council is required to act now to ensure financial sustainability in the face of significant financial pressures. Alongside a £5.4 million budget gap in 2026/27, the council expects its government funding to reduce by £27.2 million by 2028/29.
"These changes are intended to help protect essential care and support services for those who need them most, while retaining safeguards for people whose circumstances require additional consideration.”