Disabled people in England are reportedly facing an effective ban on leaving the country, with local care providers blocking them from travelling abroad for holidays or work events. This issue has been observed across various parts of England over the past six months.
Individuals with live-in personal assistants via NHS continuing healthcare or 24/7 social care through local authorities are being informed they cannot use their existing care packages overseas. This restriction sometimes applies even when they offer to cover additional expenses themselves.
The current situation has created a 'postcode lottery', as some areas permit care users to travel internationally while others do not. This inconsistency is attributed to a lack of national guidance, leaving local care officials with the power to approve or deny travel plans.
This week, MPs and peers, including Work and Pensions Select Committee Chair Debbie Abrahams and crossbench peer Jane Campbell, urged the government to establish national guidelines. They advocate for ensuring disabled people's right to travel and providing the necessary support to do so.