The ALLIANCE have published a report; ‘Disabled People, Unpaid Carers and the Cost of Living Crisis: Impacts, Responses and Long Term Solutions’, looking at the impact of the cost of living crisis in Scotland.
Through engagement alongside Disability Equality Scotland with disabled people, people living with long term conditions, and unpaid carers via polls and events, the report highlights some of the difficulties arising from sharply increasing costs. There is widespread concern amongst disabled people about being able to afford the energy required to power and charge essential assistive technologies, whilst some people report cutting back on food, lighting and showers.
It is clear that cost of living interventions to date have not gone far enough to support the most at risk sections of our society through the coming winter. In addition the current crisis simply builds on and exacerbates existing inequalities, emphasising the need to take longer term action to address root causes and prevent similar crises recurring in the future.
