High Peak Liberal DemocratsTwo elderly disabled women have failed in their legal challenge against Lancashire County Council's budget cuts which could slash care for adults.
The two women in their 60s and 70s, who cannot be named, sought a judicial review of the budget in the High Court. Their lawyer had argued that the budget would breach the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).
But Mr Justice Parker said the budget must be seen in the context of the government's 2010 spending review. Lancashire County Council has to cut its spending by 26% over four years, prompting a reduction of £71.6m between 2011 and 2012.
The women were backed by the National Autistic Society, deaf and blind charity SENSE, and by Disability Equality North West. Their QC, Ian Wise, argued that the county council's budgetary proposals breached its obligations to the women under the DDA.
But the judge said: "The economic reality was that to meet imperative needs of reducing expenditure it would be extraordinarily difficult to avoid an adverse effect on adult social care."
Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
Published and promoted by Barrie Taylor on behalf of High Peak Liberal Democrats all at Daleside, Linglongs Road,, Whaley Bridge SK23 7DS and by Richard Salmon, Derbyshire Liberal Democrats on behalf of Stan Heptinstall (Liberal Democrats) both at 9 Walnut Road, Belper DE56 1RG.
The views expressed are those of the publisher, not of the service provider.
Website designed and developed by Prater Raines Ltd, with modifications by High Peak Liberal Democrats