Ribble Valley Conservatives are calling for the public to sign a national conservative petition calling for government plans to cut disability living allowance and attendance allowance for the over 65s.

Councillor Ken Hind senior vice chairman pointed out '' there are large numbers of elderly retired people in the Ribble Valley and across Lancashire who depend on this support to enable them to live in their own homes. These proposed cuts will wreck the chances for many elderly vulnerable people to live independently.

''There are 2.4 million elderly people who  need support to cope with a physical or mental disability in the UK .These people rely on disability benefits - a third of them through the Disability Living Allowance for over 65s, and two thirds of them through the Attendance Allowance.

'' These proposed changes will  stop pensioners having the  freedom to tailor their care to their needs.Those over 65 who claim Disability Living Allowance currently get an average of £75 every week, and those who receive Attendance Allowance get an average of £60. This compares to an average pensioner’s income of around £250 a week. This means that some of the most vulnerable pensioners in our country will lose - around £8 billion a year in public support .

''These cuts are unwise, unfair, and unkind. Our pensioners deserve better.The public can help by protesting and signing the national petition either on the web or by coming to our office . conservatives .com   

''We all know elderly people who live in their homes supporeted by dedicated carers receiving help from social services , it is time to speak up for them and the dedicated cares who help to give them a better quality of life.