North MP backs work of disabled equality charity
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Local MP Drew Hendry has showed his support for disabled people at a drop-in event at parliament organised by disability equality charity Scope.
It follows the launch of Scope’s disability price tag report which revealed the extra costs faced by disabled people each month.
Life costs more for disabled people because they have no choice but to spend more on essential goods and services like heating, therapies and equipment.
The price tag report shows that on average disabled people face extra costs amounting to £583 per month.
For families with disabled children, that figure is £581 per month with almost a quarter facing extra costs that soar to more than £1000.
Mr Hendry met with scope storytellers who relate what it is like to live life as someone with disabilities and discuss their experiences managing extra costs.
He said: “I was pleased to meet Scope storytellers at today’s disability price tag drop-in to discuss how we can work together to achieve better outcomes for people living with disabilities in Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey.
“Shamefully, people living with disabilities have been some of the worst hit by the UK government’s welfare cuts and this new report shows the sheer impact the removal of support has on their lives.
“For many reasons, people face added costs associated with their disability and when they are unable to meet these costs, they can often be left feeling increasingly isolated.
“People living with disabilities must have the same opportunities as everyone else. I will continue to work with Scope and other colleagues in parliament, in calling on the UK government to do more to address the extra costs faced by disabled people, here at home and across the nations of the UK.”
The charity’s public affairs manager Adam Smiley said: “We were really pleased that Drew Hendry MP could attend our event today and show his support.
“On average disabled people face extra costs of £583 a month and families with disabled children face £581 each month.
He added: “Scope is calling for the Government to put in place a welfare system that recognises extra costs, and provides disabled people and their families with the financial support they need.”
