In a survey investigating the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on their members, Scotland’s leading disabled people’s organisation, run for and by disabled people, has found that over 75% of members are cutting back on necessities for their health and wellbeing.

Inclusion Scotland are calling on the government to provide more targeted financial for disabled people across Scotland “to avert the tragedy of avoidable deaths” this winter.

In a survey of members, the disabled people’s organisation found rising costs and inadequate social security has led people to ration not just food, but oxygen concentrators, respirators and heating –   even when they are unable to regulate their own body temperature.

Without additional support, Inclusion Scotland says the consequences could be ‘catastrophic’, with disabled people admitting they are fearful of hospitalisation or dying at home this winter.

Over 75% of respondents to the survey are already going without or cutting back on essentials and many are worried that they cannot afford to heat their home, even when necessary for their health and wellbeing. 

One person responding to Inclusion Scotland’s survey said:

“Part of my condition means I struggle to regulate my body temperature. I can be prone to hypothermia. I also rely on hot showers and hot water bottles to manage pain and am worried about how to afford that. I could die.”

Back in April 2022, Carolynne Hunter a mother and carer for her daughter, Freya who lives with severe complex health needs and disabilities, shared her fuel poverty concerns as an unpaid carer. She was already struggling to pay her energy bills and feared for future increases in her bills with so much of the equipment needed to support Freya being powered by electricity.

The Scottish government is set to release a Winter Support plan in the coming weeks, drawing on learnings from the 2020-21 Winter Fund including the continued preference of cash-first inventions for those in need. This afternoon, ministers will make a statement on winter preparedness for Scotland’s NHS.

Leo Starrs-Cunningham, Convenor of Inclusion Scotland explains:

“Disabled people, already much more likely to be living in poverty in Scotland, are caught in the middle of this cost-of-living crisis and are facing this on top of the extra costs many already experience from simply living as disabled people.

“As disabled people many are at significant risk of financial hardship, fuel poverty, food insecurity and destitution as inflation, energy, and food costs rise.”

Inclusion Scotland is urging policymakers to engage with disabled people’s day-to-day needs and the additional difficulties many face, with some respondents to the survey saying their quality-of-life has already dropped ahead of winter.

In the survey conducted between 7 and 23 September, 64% of the 168 respondents said they were currently going without or cutting down on items or services used directly to manage their impairment or health condition.

Many disabled people responding to the survey shared that they are also cutting back on powering their oxygen machines, limiting use of floor lifts, hoists, electric shower-toilets, and wheelchairs and mobility scooters that require charging.

Inclusion Scotland’s Convenor, Leo Starrs-Cunningham adds:

“Policymakers must engage with the reality of disability-related energy costs and the need to protect life. Disabled people need further help with energy bills through action on prices or targeted cost-of-living payments.

“The devastating and intensifying levels of poverty faced by disabled people in Scotland must be met with robust, immediate action by the UK and Scottish Governments if we are to avert a humanitarian crisis for disabled people this winter.”

Speaking to parliament earlier this week, Health Secretary Humza Yousaf made a full statement on the health and care recovery and winter resilience planning backed by £600m fuding from the Scottish government.

 

Read more: Voices of disabled key to policy development; Insight: Carers in need as fuel poverty hits; Consultation on Disability Commissioner Bill; Older Scots struck by cost-of-living crisis

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