2011 election - lessons learnt
Welcome to my first article on this website - my aim is to look events from the point of view of disability issues
10 May 2012
News
By 2030, there could be 17 million people with Arthritis - charity warns.
Cases of osteoarthritis in Britain look set to double to over 17 million by 2030, according to experts. A report by the charity Arthritis Care says the predicted rise is down to the UK's ageing population and growing obesity problem. Experts estimate that by 2030 over half of the UK population will be aged 50 or older and nearly the same proportion will be obese.
9 May 2012
A draft bill on social care is announced in the Queen's Speech.
A draft bill on overhauling care and support for elderly and disabled people in England has been announced in the Queen's Speech. The bill will put "people in control of their care and give them greater choice," ministers say.
9 May 2012
MP meets with teenage disabled access ambassador
Greg Mulholland, MP for Leeds North West, has met with 14 year old constituent and disabled rights champion Nathan Popple to discuss the future of wheelchair accessibility in Leeds.
9 May 2012
Judicial review for proposed cuts to youth services.
A teenager is seeking a judicial review in an attempt to stop a planned 71% funding cut to youth services. The boy, who has not been named, claims North Somerset Council breached the Equality Act by failing to take into account the special needs of those who use the youth groups. His claim alleges the council failed to consider matters including disability, sexual orientation and race.
25 Apr 2012
The cost of diabetes could crippling the NHS
The majority of NHS spending on diabetes is avoidable, says a report in the journal Diabetic Medicine. It suggests that 80% of the NHS's £9.8bn annual UK diabetes bill goes on the cost of treating complications. Experts say much of this is preventable with health checks and better education - something the Department of Health says it is tackling. The report also predicts that by 2035, diabetes will cost the NHS £16.8bn, 17% of its entire budget.
25 Apr 2012