Scope warns new Prime Minister must act now to avert ‘Dickensian dystopia’ for disabled people this winter

• New Scope survey finds disabled people being forced to cut back on heating, food and washing
• 9 in 10 disabled people reveal energy bill fears, as spiralling costs force many into grim choices
• Overwhelming call from disabled people for the new Prime Minister to double support and freeze the cap
  
  

Disability equality charity Scope has urgently warned the new Prime Minister Liz Truss that life for disabled people will descend into a ‘Dickensian dystopia’ if she does not provide targeted financial support.

Scope’s survey (1) of 1,000 disabled people found:

• 9 in 10 (91 per cent) are worried about energy bills this winter
• Half say they will be “struggling” financially from October, and won’t be able to afford all essentials
• Almost half (45 per cent) are planning to not use heating even when cold
• More than a third (38 per cent) will cut back on food and skip meals or buy lower quality food
• More than a quarter (28 per cent) plan to cut back on showering and bathing
• Others are planning to cut back on personal assistants, medicines and assistive technology
• More than half (52 per cent) said increasing costs were affecting their mental health

The findings echo a report from the Financial Fairness Trust [2] published today showing that disabled households are twice as likely to be struggling with cost-of-living crisis than non-disabled households.

It also reflects the surging demand to Scope’s support services. The charity has been inundated with calls from disabled people seeking advice and support with energy bills, including:

• A 500 per cent increase in referrals to Scope’s Disability Energy Support service.
• More than 70,000 people visited the website for support between February and July 2022 [3]
• Scope’s helpline receiving more safeguarding concerns including callers describing feeling suicidal due to rising costs.

Scope’s survey also shows that disabled people want urgent Government intervention now.

When asked what they would want to see from the new Prime Minister:

• 83 per cent said a price freeze at the current energy price cap level until April 2023
• 4 in 5 (83 per cent) said a discounted/social tariff for disabled customers with high energy usage
• 80 per cent want a Windfall Tax on profits of oil and gas companies.
• 76 per cent want to see a doubling of the £150 Government payment to disabled people on non-means tested benefits.

Lauren is mum to Cohen who is six years old and has two genetic deletions leading to specific medical issues.

She said: “He needs to be fed through a tube directly into his intestines at a slow rate, meaning his pump is on for 18 hours a day.

“He has some kidney and bowel issues so needs his clothes washed a lot. We try to keep it to one load of washing per day, but some days it just isn’t possible.

“We’re having to work out what we can turn off this winter to save money.”

James Taylor, executive director of strategy at disability equality charity Scope, said:

“This winter we are on the verge of plunging into a Dickensian dystopia, where disabled people’s lives are on the line because they can’t afford to eat or stay warm. Personal hygiene and dignity are turning into luxuries many disabled people won’t be able to afford.

“Scope has heard from so many disabled people who are having to choose between being warm and powering life-saving equipment. Parents of disabled children who are having to skip meals so their kids can eat. It’s shameful that disabled people are being forced into grim choices like these.

“This is an emergency for disabled people. Our new Prime Minister Liz Truss must seize control of this situation and act now. Freezing the price cap will provide reassurance to the nation but we also need increased, targeted financial support for disabled people who often need to use more energy to manage health conditions. It’s a fact that life costs more if you are disabled. The last few turbulent years of the pandemic and spiralling costs have added to this, leaving many disabled households in debt and on the brink. No more sticking plaster policies. We urge our new Prime Minister to tackle the scandal of disability poverty.”

References

[1] Research carried out for Scope by Opinium, 26 August to 2 September 2022, sample size 1050 Disabled Adults weighted to be nationally representative of disabled people in England and Wales

[2] Financial Fairness Trust

Notes to Editors

We're Scope, the disability equality charity in England and Wales. We provide practical information and emotional support when it's most needed.

We campaign relentlessly to create a fairer society.

For more information contact the Scope press office on 020 7619 7200 or email pressoffice@scope.org.uk (out of hours please call 07843 467948).