2018-06-01 14:31:52

Hft, a national charity that supports adults with learning disabilities, has submitted evidence to a Low Pay Commission consultation on the impact of National Living Wage rates by warning that unfunded increases in the National Living Wage are pushing many providers in the sector to the brink.

Since February 2016, the charity has run the It Doesn’t Add Up campaign, which aims to raise awareness of financial pressures being faced by the learning disability sector from unfunded rises in the national living wage. According to independent research commissioned by Hft, 94% of providers cite rising wage bills as their biggest financial pressure. More alarmingly, the number of organisations that stated they were operating at a deficit due to these financial pressures has more than trebled, rising from 11% in 2016/17 to 34% in 2017/18.

Billy Davis, Public Affairs & Policy Manager at Hft, commented:

“Our staff are the cornerstone of providing the high quality, person-centred support that adults with learning disabilities deserve. Any initiative which sees them get paid more for the invaluable work that they do should therefore be warmly welcomed.

“However, rises in the rate of the National Living Wage have coincided with a period of shrinking central government support for local authorities. This has led to a decrease in which the rate which at which local authorities are able to commission social care. Consequently, providers are increasingly having to do more with less, with wage bills now accounting for over 80% of our expenditure.

“With a third of the sector now running at a deficit, the government can no longer stand idly by. We call on the government to provide a sustainable funding solution to the crisis, so that the hard working people in the sector receive the wages they deserve for supporting some of the most vulnerable adults in society.”

Notes to editors

For further information please email media.enquiries@hft.org.uk

About Hft

Proudly established in 1962 by a group of visionary parents, Hft is a charity supporting more than 2,500 learning disabled adults in England and Wales. Together, we are creating a future where learning disabled people and their families can live the best life possible.

Providing personalised support. Creating solutions for living independently. Coming together to campaign for positive change. Fundraising for new opportunities and a bigger impact.

In 2033, we’ll live in a world where learning disabled people have greater choice. About where they live. The support they need and want. And how to spend their time and money.

Learning disability versus difficulty

A learning disability is different from a learning difficulty but the terms are often confused and used inter-changeably. A learning difficulty does not affect general intellect, whereas a learning disability is a life-long condition characterised by a reduced intellectual ability and struggle with everyday activities.

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For more information about Hft please visit www.hft.org.uk