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Of the 14 million Brits living in poverty, half are affected by disability.

Working aged disabled adults are more than twice as likely to live in poverty than those who are not.

More than half of people who use food banks are disabled.

On average, a disabled person’s extra costs are equivalent to almost half of their income

Disabled people’s money doesn’t tend to go as far: on average, £100 for a non-disabled adult is equivalent to just £68 for a disabled person.

Introducing Disabled Britain: Doing It For Ourselves By Rachel Charlton-Dailey, guest editor and founder of The Unwritten Disabled Britain: Doing It For Ourselves, is a week-long series across the Daily Mirror's print and digital platforms, showcasing the lives of disabled people and the issues important to us. The articles have been conceived by disabled people, written by disabled people, and photographs - where possible - taken by disabled people. Throughout this week, we aim to change your mind about how you view disabled people. After all, there are 14 million of us, and we aren’t all the same, it’s time the public stopped listening to lazy stereotypes and viewed disabled people in all our wide-ranging splendor. To read more on The Mirror's week-long series click here

290,000 people who receive disability benefits are no longer eligible for the Warm Home Discount.

There are 14.6 million disabled people in the UK.

To read more content from our week-long series on Disabled Britain click here.

Over 70% of family members or carers surveyed said loved ones who have a learning disability spend less time outside of the house compared to before the pandemic, with half of families saying reduced social care support is part of the issue.

Jackie O’Sullivan, Executive Director of Communications, Advocacy and Activism at the learning disability charity Mencap, told the Mirror, “It’s tough for everyone right now, but it’s even harder for people with a learning disability who are facing a disproportionate cost of living crisis and don’t have the right support to help them budget.

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“People with a learning disability often face serious barriers to employment and many have to rely on benefits. Despite these barely being enough to live on, they have to make contributions towards their social care.

"They are left with a minimum income: currently just £91.40 a week for most working-age adults, from which they need to pay for all their bills and food.

"This ‘minimum income guarantee’ has been frozen for the last six years and only now has risen by 3.1% - which means a massive cut in real terms.

“The Government must take action and raise this.

"Are we really asking people to choose between having the support they need to live independently, and basics like heating and food?

"What is the point of having someone to help you with personal care or cooking, if you can’t afford hot water or food?”

Source: Mirror Online

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