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Poverty crisis for disabled people across the UK
Poverty will be the stark reality for disabled people across the UK this winter according to a hard-hitting Muscular Dystrophy Campaign report published today, as rising bills and cuts in financial support leave households battling to cover costs.
The Cost of Living with Muscle Disease report is the result of Muscular Dystrophy Campaign research into the financial impact of disability on 650 households affected by muscle disease.
What are your thoughts and experiences on the issues raised in our new report?
Re: Poverty crisis for disabled people across the UKAnd here’s the BBC’s take on the findings,
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-11769581
Sam
Re: Poverty crisis for disabled people across the UKThis isn’t happening just in the UK, I live in the United States. I get $674 dollars a month in American money. My rent is $375 a month, then I have a water bill, electric, and trash to pay for out of the rest of the money. My electric bill runs about $300 a month with the heat on. If it was not for family that helps me I could not even afford to live. Plus, I have 2 children to take care of, Christmas is coming and I can’t afford to buy them gifts. One of my kids turn 8 on December 8, I can’t buy her gifts. Then Christmas, then my other child turn 7 on January 26th, I won’t be able to buy her gifts either. I live alone with my girls. If it wasn’t for them I would not be living. I can not afford to live. I have MD. It’s hard to take care of myself and my girls.
Re: Poverty crisis for disabled people across the UKHello Gidjirat.
I am sad to hear the circumstances you find yourself in, especially in what is purported to be the most wealthy nation on Earth.
We are not in such dire straits in the UK but are headed that way by the look of things, it is truly preverse and an abomination. We here in the UK look on incredulously as we see reports of food banks and people sleeping in their cars, even amongst the middle class, not forgetting the horrendous conditions still to be found in the New Orleans area 5 years after the hurricane.
Karl Marx once said that “Capitalism will eat itself” and this seems to be not far from the truth, there is no room for the have nots in this brave new world.All the best
RanaldRe: Poverty crisis for disabled people across the UKWith the increase in VAT due, utility bills increasing, how many people are going to have 2nd thoughts before putting heating on.
Re: Poverty crisis for disabled people across the UK@takecare wrote:
With the increase in VAT due, utility bills increasing, how many people are going to have 2nd thoughts before putting heating on.
We already do!
Re: Poverty crisis for disabled people across the UK@tygertyger wrote:
@takecare wrote:
With the increase in VAT due, utility bills increasing, how many people are going to have 2nd thoughts before putting heating on.
We already do!
So do we
extra problem caused by house being electric fuel supply only, have invested in hot-water bottles for warmth.
Re: Poverty crisis for disabled people across the UKOur thermostat is set to 15 degrees, which is some 10 degrees below normal ambient temperature, in a bid to keep the gas bill down. we also have a Halogen heater to help when it gets really cold, but for the main part I insist on people dressing warmly in the house.
This a reality of life in the 21st Century that was never reported on the BBC’s Tomorrow’s World!
The cold is actually detrimental to my Myotonia Congenita so for health reasons I should stay warm but I can’t get central heating on prescription!
Re: Poverty crisis for disabled people across the UKOur thermostat is set to 15 degrees
Crikey!! I wouldn’t be able to function at 15 degrees, mine is always between 22-23 degrees
Re: Poverty crisis for disabled people across the UK@vicki wrote:
Our thermostat is set to 15 degrees
Crikey!! I wouldn’t be able to function at 15 degrees, mine is always between 22-23 degrees
Yeah, it makes life tough whilst I’m at home recovering from the surgery but it is a financial necessity. It’s also another reason to go back to work sooner rather than later, they have the radiators on at a comfortable 20 degrees all day there…well, except when the heating breaksdown!
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