11 June 2025 News
The Spending Review announcement on Wednesday (11 June) contains some welcome measures. The Chancellor announced that the NHS budget will increase by 3% in real terms over the next three years, a higher figure than many expected.
The Spending Review also made £4 billion of additional funding available for adult social care in 2028-29, as compared to 2025-26. This includes an increase to the contribution made by the NHS to adult social care through the Better Care Fund.
The Chancellor also confirmed a partial reversal of the Government’s decision to remove Winter Fuel Payment from most older people.
It means 75% of people aged over 65 will now be eligible for the benefit this winter, following calls by the MND Association to rethink the original decision to restrict the benefit.
However, the MND Association is disappointed the Spending Review contains no commitments to improve accessible housing support for people living with disabilities and long-term health conditions, including motor neurone disease (MND).
The Association previously wrote to the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves and Angela Rayner, Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, to call for increased support for people who need to adapt their home.
We stated that the current Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) cap (£30,000 in England, £25,000 in Northern Ireland, and £36,000 in Wales) is insufficient to meet the needs of many people living with MND.
Living with MND is expensive, with households spending an average of £14,500 per year to manage the impacts of the condition. Many households spend much more – sometimes into the hundreds of thousands of pounds, with housing adaptations often contributing to the bulk of this cost.
The current DFG cap levels have not changed since 2008, with no adjustments for inflation or increased costs of work in the last 17 years.
While Government’s focus on creating more affordable houses is to be welcomed, without investment into making homes accessible for people who need it, the gap between accessibility needs and the housing stock will continue to increase.
Alex Massey, Head of Campaigning, Policy and Public Affairs, added: “Everyone should have the right to live in a safe and suitable home.
“Given that housing supply is a key focus of this Spending Review, it is disappointing that accessibility issues have again been ignored.
“Far too many people living with MND are still trapped in unsafe, inaccessible homes, putting both themselves and their carers at increased risk of injury and ill-health.”
Discover the hidden realities of MND on Global MND Awareness Day 2025