A second protest against Oxfordshire disability cuts has been planned as campaigners are set to bring a petition against the decision they say will "impoverish and isolate disabled people".
On September 8, protesters from the Oxfordshire Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) and Oxford and District Trades Council lobbied those entering county hall against cuts to disability living allowances and cost increases for social care services.
The campaign group has shared its plans to turn out for the November full council meeting ahead of the presentation of its petition against the decision.
The county is set to cut Disability Related Expenditure (DRE), a percentage of benefits left to people to cover expenses connected to living with disability after paying for social care, from 35 per cent to 25 per cent.
At the same time, £10-a-day charges for council-organised transport and an increase in the cost to use independent living technology by more than 50 per cent, with a £9.87 weekly fee, will be introduced in a move to save £1.8 million of the council's current £330 million social care budget - around a 0.5 per cent saving for the service.
The council's cabinet passed these changes in July, despite significant opposition at consultation.
Pat Carmody, 61, previously spoke out against the changes and started the petition calling for "no cuts to social care for disabled people", which has received 235 signatures at the time of writing.
It said: "Disabled people have already borne the brunt of austerity cuts over the past 16 years, including huge cuts to the health element of Universal Credit that began in April this year.
"We demand that the council scraps these callous cuts that will further impoverish and isolate disabled people.
"These cuts will further impoverish and isolate disabled people."
Previously, county cabinet member for adults, Rebekah Fletcher, Lib Dem, said: “The difficult decisions Cabinet has taken on Disability Related Expenditure, transport charging and telecare charging have not been taken lightly.
"We recognise that these changes will affect people who rely on support, and we understand the concerns that have been raised.
"People affected by the changes are being contacted directly and will be supported to understand what the changes mean for them, and what support is available.
"The council remains committed to ensuring minimal administrative burden to families by retaining the 25 per cent automatic Disability Related Expenditure allowance."
She said the changes were needed to "ensure financial sustainability" with a £5.4 million budget gap in 2026/27, and an expectation that funding could reduce by £27.2 million by 2028/29.
Ms Fletcher added: "These changes are intended to help protect essential care and support services for those who need them most, while retaining safeguards for people whose circumstances require additional consideration.”
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