Published: 05 May 2006
Independent Living Funds Review
Anne McGuire, Minister for Disabled People, has announced a review of the Independent Living Funds (ILFs).
There are two Independent Living Funds operating throughout the United Kingdom paying grants to people with high support needs who wish to live independently:
· The Independent Living (1993) Fund is open to new applicants and currently supports over 12,500 people
· The Independent Living (Extension Fund) supports 5,200 people people who received help from the original Independent Living Fund which closed in 1993
The Funds are discretionary Trusts created & funded by the Department for Work & Pensions and Department for Social Development (Northern Ireland), but operating at arms length from Government.
They are financed by cash limited grants-in-aid and managed by a Board of Trustees appointed by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.
The Trustees have discretion about whom they help within the framework of the Trust Deeds.
Anne McGuire, said:
"The ILFs enable thousands of severely disabled people to live independently and we need to consider the future direction of the funds in the light of our goal of equality for disabled people.
A consultant will be engaged to conduct a strategic review of the Independent Living Funds, supplying independent expert advice and carrying out an informal public consultation, in order to make recommendations for the future direction of the Funds.
The Independent Living Funds will allocate £263 million of public funds in 2006/07 so it is essential that we have an independent and informed review of their role."
Regular reviews of Non Departmental Public Bodies are required by Cabinet Office guidance and the last ILF "Quinquennial Review" report was produced in 2001.
This one will be carried out in the context of the:
· Prime Minister's Strategy Unit report 'Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People', and
· Department of Health's White Paper 'Our health, Our care, Our say'
The Government claims its overarching aim is to ‘provide more person-centred and coherent support for disabled people’.
The review is expected to report to Ministers by December 2006.
Further information
2001 review
Independent Living Funds (ILFs)
'Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People'
White Paper 'Our health, Our care, Our say'
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