Published: Tuesday, 28th October, 2008 4:05pm

MP backs £30m boost for blind

by Jonathan Kelly

John Redwood MP

A CAMPAIGN to help blind and visually impaired people has been backed by an MP.

John Redwood, MP for Wokingham, has joined a drive to get blind people a higher classification for their disability benefit to help them get around and travel.

Currently blind and visually impaired people are not entitled to the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance, a benefit that helps people with difficulties pay for costs such as using taxis or private hire vehicles.

This would give blind people an extra £29 a week and the The Royal National Institute for the Blind estimates it would cost the Government approximately £30m annually.

At the moment blind people can claim only £17.75 instead of the £46.75.

Mr Redwood said: "The Government is apparently able to find billions and billions to spend on regional assemblies, unwanted identity cards, bank bail-outs and Whitehall bureaucrats.

"I therefore do not think it is unreasonable to ask, even in the current economic climate, that they find the small sum of money that would be required so blind and visually impaired people can receive some of the help they need in order to get around, visit their family and go about their daily business."

Mr Redwood has signed a parliamentary motion calling for the Government to end the exclusion of blind people and has written to the Minister for Disabled People to argue the case.

His support has been welcomed by disability campaigners.

Wokingham Area Access Group chairman David Gaskin said: "Obviously blind and partially sighted people have more problems with access and getting onto public transport and often have to use taxis, so transport is one of their biggest expenditures.

"Anyone in Parliament with a bit of clout can only help our cause. Anything that will help them get around is sorely needed."

Chris Dyson, Media & Special Projects Manager for The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, said: "Guide Dogs is delighted that John Redwood is supporting the campaign. People with sight loss often rely on taxis to get around, meaning transportation can be very expensive.

"So, without higher mobility allowance, particularly at a time of higher living costs, blind and partially-sighted people are facing poverty and lost independence.

"This is completely unacceptable, and Guide Dogs appeals to the Government to act now and remove this unnecessary hardship."

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