Adaptations budget cut a backward step says Charity

The Scottish Government today announced a 25 per cent cut in the budget available to Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) for housing adaptations to enable older and disabled people to live independently in their own homes. 
The cut, from £8 million to £6 million annually for the next three years, comes before the Government has completed analysis of responses to its consultation on the RSL Adaptations budget.
Stephen Sandham, Head of Transitions and Support in the Scottish Government, said: "The Scottish Government remains committed to helping disabled people and older people to live independently in their own homes and recognises the key role that adaptations play in supporting this objective.  We have also tried to protect funding for vulnerable groups and focus on prevention.  However, the overall reductions to the Scottish budget have meant that Scottish Government Ministers have been faced with very difficult decisions.
"In retaining the RSL adaptations budget, Ministers have sought to recognise the value of adaptations in helping disabled people to maintain independent living, and the key role of RSLs in supporting this."
Greg McCracken, Age Scotland Policy Officer, said: "This is a very short sighted move as where older people don't get the support they need to stay independent in their own home they are more likely to need higher cost residential or hospital care.  Making a cut before consultation responses have been fully considered also raises questions as to how genuine and meaningful the consultation process has been.
"While housing associations can apply for adaptations funding through the Adult Care Change Fund, which the Scottish Government will boost by £10 million to £80 million next year, they will be competing with local authorities for a share of this pot and are likely to lose out as a result."
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