From: Gemma.Finnegan@cft.cornwall.nhs.uk Sent: 09 February 2011 11:58 To: DWP Consultation DLAReform Subject: Cornwall Community Volunteer Service Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Completed To whom it may concern, I am writing to you on behalf of the several hundred carers of those with severe and enduring mental health problems that I and my staff support around Cornwall. There are several concerns about the proposed reforms that we would like answered. 1)Carers are very concerned about losing Carer’s Allowance because the person you care for might lose their benefits, thus reducing household incomes that are already impoverished. 2) Mental Health conditions fluctuate and a medical professional might assess them on a good day and fail to take account of the worse times. 3) Carers are worried that mental health might not be assessed properly by a medical professional. 4) There is nothing in the proposals to say how Carers Allowance will be linked to PIP. 5) Carers feel this is a cost cutting exercise and the most vulnerable are being targeted contrary to the Equality Act 2010. We believe the Government should not be making cuts of £1 billion to disability benefits because of the devastating consequences it could have for disabled people and carers. We also believe that Carer’s Allowance must remain outside of the Universal Credit. Carer's save the UK £87 billion every year with the care they provide and it would be wrong to take away Carer's Allowance from some carers by means-testing it, as this would leave some carers without any recognition of their contribution. On behalf of the mental health carers of Cornwall and the people who support them we look forward to hearing form you. Yours faithfully Gemma Finnegan Manager Carer Support Worker Service (Mental Health) Cornwall Community Volunteer Service (CCVS) Community Centre South Terrace Cambourne TR14 8SU 01209 613456 Working Hours Monday - Thursday 9.30am-5pm ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this e-mail and any attachments is confidential and is intended for the attention and use of the named addressee(s). It must not be disclosed to any other person without our authority. If you are not the intended recipient, or a person responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient or are aware that this e-mail has been sent to you in error, you are not authorised to and must not disclose, copy, distribute, or retain this message or any part of it. We sweep all outgoing messages for the presence of computer viruses. However, we cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or damage to your systems due to viruses or malicious code not detected. The statements and opinions expressed in this message are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the organisations within the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Health Community. This email may be disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 or the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------