An Oxfordshire plan to cut living allowances for disabled people, charge them for transport and independent living tech, has been labelled "monstrous" by a former lord mayor.
The proposals, which could impact more than 6,800 adults supported by the county council's adult social care, have been tabled as a means to save money amid a £5.4 million funding gap at the authority.
It involves the introduction of a £10-a-day fee for transport and increasing the cost to use independent living technology by more than 50 per cent.
Former Labour councillor and mayor of Oxford, John Power, 88, has slammed the plans, which are currently under consultation, as "screwing the old people".
Mr Power has recently been "seriously ill in hospital", is unable to walk and believes the changes will cost him and others "hundreds of pounds", wiping out pension increases.
The report explains that the cuts and charges could save around £500,000 in the remainder of the 2026/27 financial year and £1.2 million per full year.
The local authority spends approximately £330 million a year on adult social care.
The plan includes a reduction in Disability Related Expenditure (DRE).
DRE is a percentage of disability benefits which can support people with expenses such as increased heating costs, additional laundry requirements, specialist clothing, and equipment needs.
It is set by the county council, which takes a percentage of people's benefits to fund care costs.
People in Oxfordshire are able to keep an initial 35 per cent of their disability benefits, such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) daily living component, Disability Living Allowance (DLA) care component, and Attendance Allowance, as DRE.
The council wants to cut this, leaving people with 25 per cent of their benefits as DRE.
It says the current allowance is "much higher than the average disability expenditure and what is offered by other local authorities".
At the same time, the council is also consulting on charging £10 each day people use transport arranged and funded by adult social care.
It says the authority only provides this transport in "exceptional circumstances to meet unmet care and support needs".
The report notes: "People who receive DLA or PIP Mobility can use these benefits to help cover the cost of transport.
"Where this is not enough, the cost can be considered as part of a financial assessment under Disability Related Expenditure (DRE)."
It also wants to up the price of using 'Telecare', a technology service that helps people live safely and independently in their own homes, to £9.87 per week from £6.
The report states that where the costs of the changes are too much for people, DRE allowances could be assessed on an individual basis.
Mr Power is not only concerned about the changes, but about the consultation process.
He worries that only recipients of the schemes are being consulted and that some people will not have been able to read, understand or fill out the consultation, saying "all they'd be faced with is just increased bills".
Describing the changes, he said "all this has just been sprung on us".
He stated: "I got this letter through the post saying, 'we're going to increase all the charges'.
"I find it absolutely monstrous, the county council doing this sort of thing."
He added: "It's in an appalling state, this county council, it's absolutely appalling."
A consultation is open until June 21, and is available online at: https://letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/asc-contributions-policy-consultation
The council responds
Rebekah Fletcher, the county council cabinet member for adult social care, said: “We are extremely proud that the council increased the amount people could keep towards their disability‑related costs in 2022, recognising the important difference this makes to people’s everyday lives.
“This was a carefully considered decision taken at the time to ensure recipients of disability related expenditure (DRE) had the most supportive settlement the council could afford.
"The additional 10 per cent has enabled some of our most vulnerable residents to retain an estimated £3.6m over the past four years."
She explained the council plans to end this as "the Government’s current financial settlement means the council’s grant funding is expected to reduce by £27.2 million by 2028/29" as well as the need to address the over £5 million budget gap this year.
Ms Fletcher states the council is required to "identify further savings" to balance its future budgets.
She added: "As the council’s largest area of spend, adult social care is therefore having to consider some very difficult choices.
“These are not decisions we take lightly, and we are acutely aware of the impact any changes may have on people who rely on our support.
"However, continuing to operate significantly differently from other councils, where 25 per cent or even zero per cent retention is more commonplace, is becoming increasingly challenging under sustained financial pressure.
“We are keen to hear from anyone who may be affected so that cabinet can fully understand the impact before any decisions are taken.”
