Update for ILF in reform of public bodies proposals
4 April 2011
On 16 March 2011, the Cabinet Office issued an updated list of proposed reforms for public bodies.
The proposal for the Independent Living Fund (ILF) has been changed to 'Retained - consultation later in the year will determine how best to support ILF customers beyond this Parliament'.
This new proposal for the ILF is a clear progression from that given in the list of proposed reforms published on 14 October 2010, which said 'Under consideration - options still being considered'.
The ILF's position is in line with the statement made by the Minister for Disabled People on 13 December 2010. The Minister said that consultation about the future of the ILF would take place after the Commission on Funding of Care and Support publishes its findings this summer.
The Minister also said that the budget to support existing ILF users would be protected throughout this Parliament and would remain closed to new applicants.
ILF Press Release
Government safeguards funding for ILF recipients
Stephen Jack, Chair of the ILF Trustees said, 'The ILF board of Trustees has worked closely with the Government over the last few months to help it consider options for the future of the ILF. We are pleased that the Government shares our first priority in committing to safeguarding the position of existing recipients of the fund.
The Government has reviewed the role of the ILF and informally consulted with disability organisations, local government, and the Department of Health and concluded that there is a 'strong and principled case for reform'. In safeguarding the position of existing ILF recipients the Minister has also confirmed that the ILF is permanently closed to new applicants.
A full consultation will take place with disabled people, particularly ILF recipients and their families, local authorities, and other interested parties including the devolved administrations on the future of the ILF. The consultation will begin following the publication of a report by the Commission on the Funding of Care and Support in England next Summer.
In further support of the Minister's statement Stephen Jack said, 'We understand the position in relation to new applications in the current financial climate and welcome the Government's commitment to full consultation. The views of ILF recipients, and their families and carers, will be extremely important and we will assist Government to ensure they are fully considered.'
Q&A on the written ministerial statement 13 December 2010 (ILF, 13/12/2010)
What will happen to the funding I already get from the ILF? Will it be cut or stop entirely?
The first priority of the ILF continues to be to support its existing users. The Coalition Government has confirmed that we will continue to administer your payments throughout this Parliament. Despite the pressures on social care funding in this challenging financial climate the Coalition Government has committed to protect our budget through the spending review period.
Why can't you accept new applications any more?
The ILF has a responsibility to manage within its allocated budget and our first priority continues to be to support our existing users. The Government has committed to protect our budget to allow us to do this throughout this Parliament. However, the Government has reviewed the role of the ILF and concluded that there is a 'strong and principled case for reform'. Local authorities already have responsibility to provide social care support to people in their area. They will need to consider the needs of people who may otherwise have received support from the ILF.
What happens to people who were going to apply for ILF funding?
Local authorities already have responsibility to provide social care support to people in their area. They will need to consider the needs of people who may otherwise have received support from the ILF.
Your letter to users said that the ILF would be given funding to continue to pay it's current users until April 2015 but the Ministerial Statement says that the programme budget for the ILF is protected throughout this Parliament - which is correct?
'Fred' has got ILF funding, but 'Bob' hasn't, this isn't fair.
Local authorities already have responsibility to provide social care support to people in their area. They will need to consider the needs of people who may otherwise have received support from the ILF.
You told us you were going to consult us on future changes, why haven't you done that?
The Coalition Government will formally consult with disabled people, particularly ILF recipients and their families, local authorities, and other interested parties including the devolved administrations, on the future of the ILF. The consultation will begin following the publication of a report by the Commission on the Funding of Care and Support in England next Summer. When we know more about this we will let people know how they can get involved.
The Government has already decided to close the ILF so why are they bothering with consultation?/Will the ILF close down in 2015?
No decision has been made on the future of the ILF. There will be open consultation on this, and how best to integrate ILF users into a personalised care system. The consultation will begin following the publication of a report by the Commission on the Funding of Care and Support in England next Summer.
What is going to happen now about ILF involvement in the Right to Control trailblazers?
ILF Trustees have had to put in place measures in order to spend within their budget. However their first priority for spending is to continue to provide current users with the best possible support. Our existing users living in Trailblazer areas will be offered the choice to exercise their Right to Control.
This is just cost-shifting to Local Authorities isn't it?
Local authorities already have responsibility to provide social care support to people in their area. They will need to consider the needs of people who may otherwise have received support from the ILF. In considering these needs local authorities will need to take account of demands on social care and make local decisions about priorities.
What is the purpose of the ILF if it cannot accept new applications or increase existing users awards?
The ILF provides a unique service to 21,000 disabled people with high support needs, enabling them to live quality independent lives in their communities. Supporting these people is our first priority, and we will continue to develop the service we provide to allow our users to achieve positive independent living outcomes. The ILF will also test out the Right to Control with the seven trailblazer sites in England.
You said you would protect my award as it stands; you have now visited me and reduced my payment. How do you justify this?
We are able to continue your funding until at least 2015 providing you continue to satisfy the conditions set out in our information booklets. We are legally obliged to reassess the amount we pay you whenever we are made aware of any changes in your financial circumstances, or in the level or cost of your care.
On what grounds can we make a complaint/ask for a review of your decision to not increase my funding?
The ILF is a discretionary trust and therefore its Trustees will continue to consider exceptional circumstances, so you can appeal in the usual way. However, even if they find your circumstances to be exceptional they may still be unable to fund due to the current financial circumstances.