News Date: Friday 13th January 2006
Tim supports campaign to end link between debt and disability
East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton has spoken out in support of a campaign to tackle the levels of debt faced by disabled people.
The report In the balance, by the charity Leonard Cheshire, revealed that disabled people often fall into debt due to their disability. For example, 53% of disabled people surveyed had an income of less than ?10,000 a year and in general disabled people have lower than average incomes. Also, disabled people often face higher than average costs - such as adaptations to their homes.
Tim commented:
"For disabled people a significant amount of debt can come from essential purchases such as mobility aids or physiotherapy costs. Given that the onset of a disability often also forces people to leave work, this means that disabled people are uniquely vulnerable to spiralling debt which they have little prospect of clearing.
"I have signed a Parliamentary Motion calling for the implementation of recommendations arising from In the balance. I am calling on both the Government and the financial services industry to take action to address this issue and help improve the financial situation of many members of our disabled community."
Note to editors:
1) Leonard Cheshire exists to change attitudes to disability and to serve disabled people around the world. It has been supporting disabled people for almost 60 years and is active in 55 countries. The charity directly supports over 21,000 disabled people in the UK. For more information about In the balance please contact Laura Burnell on 020 7802 8265 or visit www.leonard-cheshire.org
2) Tim has signed Early Day Motion 1078 in support of the In the balance campaign. For a full text of the Motion please visit http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=29427&SESSION=875
Tim Loughton MP , 2006
