Today thousands of disabled people, those with long-term conditions, carers and their friends and family will be marching on Parliament to send the Government a clear message – stop the cuts to support which is essential to our everyday lives.

They will then go into Parliament to meet their MPs and tell them why this support is vital for us and ask what they are going to do to stop the cuts.

Follow all the action on Twitter by searching for #hardesthit. Also see the Hardest Hit website.

Yesterday, the Guardian reported that disabled people are using the courts to challenge multimillion-pound spending cuts that slash vital support services.

In a judicial review brought by the families of four severely disabled people which is being keenly followed by the caring community, a judge ruled last month that Birmingham city council’s plans to limit social care for disabled people are unlawful.
..
In a similar action in Lancashire, a disabled woman and the parents of two disabled children, boy A and boy D, have launched high court proceedings against their local council. The woman is challenging cuts to adult social care and possible cuts to her own care package.

The authority must save £179m in the next three years, with a significant amount coming from its care budget. It does not accept criticisms of its budget decision.

Today, the Hardest Hit coalition intends to bring Westminster to a standstill to call on the Government to:

- Scrap plans to cut Disability Living Allowance, a vital benefit that enables disabled people to live independently.

- Make sure Employment and Support Allowance, which replaces Incapacity Benefit, has a fair and effective assessment process, does its job and supports disabled people.

- Stop cuts to services that are essential to disabled people’s quality of life, such as day care, transport and respite care services.

Plan for today’s march
1.30am onwards: Campaigners gather on Victoria Embankment by Horseguards Avenue.

12-12.30pm: Rally on Victoria Embankment. Speakers include disabled people, MPs and Jane Asher.

12.30pm-1.30pm: March – from Victoria Embankment, along Parliament Square and Millbank, finishing at Dean Stanley Street.

1.30pm-5.30pm: Campaigners meeting their MPs in Westminster Hall.

More coverage
Hardest Hit website

Guardian live-blog by Amelia Gentleman

Reader comments

1. Liberal Conspiracy

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11. Tim

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12. do-panic

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13. The Bee

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14. R L

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