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Call for clarity on government spending cuts
Reacting to the Cabinet Secretary Shona Robison’s statement in Parliament on Tuesday, Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus (SBH) Scotland CEO, Lawrence Cowan said:
“The talk of further ‘difficult decisions’ ahead is incredibly concerning.
“We did not receive a commitment today to protect people with disabilities from budget cuts. We will be seeking that commitment as we head into the Budget.
“People we work with say that they already have to constantly fight for basic support.
“If those services are worn away even further, we will see greater inequality and more injustices experienced by disabled people. We cannot let that happen.
“We also urgently need clarity on what today’s announcement means for charities like ours. We’re facing a 22% cut in Scottish Government funding this year – a total cut of 42% since 2018. If that money doesn’t come through, we won’t be able to reach people who desperately need help right now.
“On behalf of families across the country, we ask the Scottish Government to ‘give us a chance’. Give disabled kids a chance to fulfil their potential and follow their dreams and give our disabled adults a chance to live life to the full.”
SBH Scotland CEO Lawrence Cowan and Chair Dr Margo Whiteford CBE were joined at the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday by Amjid Majeed, 50 who has spina bifida and receives support from SBH Scotland.
Amjid Majeed said:
“It is a sad day when we have to campaign to make sure those who need the most help are given the care and support they desperately need! SBH Scotland is a lifeline for so many people living with spina bifida and hydrocephalus.
“I personally can feel very lonely and isolated and rely on the groups provided by the charity as a chance to socialise, going out and meeting with the good friends I’ve made there. Charities can’t survive without funding, and I’d be devastated to think that the services SBH Scotland provide could be reduced or taken away because of these cuts.”
Sign SBH Scotland’s open letter to the First Minister
To find out how you can support SBH Scotland’s work, click through to ‘Why we need your help’
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