DWP decision to close the Independent Living Fund ruled lawful

The Department of Work and Pensions’ (DWP) decision to close the Independent Living Fund (ILF) for disabled people was ruled lawful by the High Court, on Monday 8 December. 


Alpha Stock Images/Nick Youngson/CC BY-SA 3.0

By Sarah.Aston

09 Dec 2014

The ILF has been closed to new applicants since 2010 and this year the DWP announced plans to close the fund to existing participants.

Back in October, the Equality and Human Rights Commission gave legal advice to a Judicial Review ​between two ILF users and the secretary of state for work and pensions that called into question the lawfulness of closing the Fund. The Commission told the High Court that closing the Fund would be inconsistent with the UK’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

However, Mrs Justice Andrews declared the decision to be lawful.

Speaking about the ruling on 8 December, minister for disabled people, Mark Harper said: “I welcome today’s High Court judgement.

“We were always fully committed to supporting Independent Living Fund users. Local Authorities and devolved administrations will be fully funded to ensure that this happens.”

The Fund is due to close on 30 June 2015 and funding will be transferred to local authorities.

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