16 July 2009 – Cooper: Trailblazers at the heart of initiative to support disabled people

Trailblazing local authorities are being invited to help shape the way services are delivered to disabled people, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Yvette Cooper told local authorities today.

Yvette Cooper encouraged local authorities to work with Jobcentre Plus offices and develop proposals to become Right to Control trailblazers.

Right to Control is a shake-up of the way disabled people can use the funding they receive from the state and is part of the Government’s radical welfare reforms. The trailblazers will test how this could work in practice.

Yvette Cooper said:

"Local authorities have an exciting opportunity to shape the way services supporting disabled people are delivered in the future. This will put the wishes of the individual at the heart of the system. I am, today, urging local authorities to work with local agencies and Government to develop innovative approaches through trailblazers."

Jonathan Shaw said:

"We understand that disabled people are the experts in their own lives. The Right to Control will give them power to choose the support they need and trailblazer sites will play a vital role in shaping this scheme."

The Right to Control, which is a major part of the Government’s goal to achieve equality for disabled people by 2025, gives disabled people the power to decide who delivers their services and how they receive them.

Individuals and organisations can take part in the Right to Control consultation by visiting www.odi.gov.uk/right-to-control or calling 020 7449 5093.

Notes to Editors:

1. Chapter 3 of the White Paper “Raising expectations and increasing support: reforming welfare for the future”, published in December 2008, outlined the Government’s intention to legislate for a Right to Control for disabled people, and to test it in selected trailblazing areas.
2. It also contained the commitment to consult widely on the details of this right to help construct the right system of implementation around the broad framework primary and secondary legislation puts together.
3. We have been consulting with our Advisory Group since its inception in May 2008. They have helped shape the green and white papers and have now turned their attentions to the implementation of the Right to Control.
4. £5million has been allocated to meet the costs of trailblazing the Right to Control. This will provide funding for participating authorities and for the evaluation.
5. All local delivery agencies will be invited to submit proposals to become trailblazers.

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