Direct payments have been heralded by the disability movement as an important means to achieving independent living and hence greater social justice for disabled people through enhanced recognition as well as financial redistribution. Drawing on data from the ESRC funded project Disabled People and Direct Payments: A UK Comparative Perspective, this paper presents an analysis of policy and official statistics on use of direct payments across the UK. It is argued that the potential of direct payments has only partly been realised as a result of very low and uneven uptake within and between different parts of the UK. This is accounted for in part by resistance from some Labour-controlled local authorities, which regard direct payments as a threat to public sector jobs. In addition, access to direct payments has been uneven across impairment groups. However, from a very low base there has been a rapid expansion in the use of direct payments over the past three years. The extent to which direct payments are able to facilitate the ultimate goal of independent living for disabled people requires careful monitoring.

No abstract

In Britain, as in all industrialised countries 'paid work' or employment is central to the economy of the state. This perspective raises important implications for theories of disability and work, and for further research in this area.This paper attempts to provide a critical evaluation of the contradictions arising from the exible labour market for disabled workers and how the concept of the Disabled State has been eroded along with notions of disabled people as the 'deserving poor'. Policies now demonstrate a commitment to a labour market free from restrictive practices and regulation. It appears that new technologies and speci c personal communication skills, initiative, exibility and adaptability will play an increasing part in new labour working trends. In short, theories of disability and work must change focus from 'production' to 'process'.

Direct payments are central to UK independent living and welfare modernisation agendas, however, little is known about the local cultures of welfare within which they are implemented. This article uses eight case studies of devolved governance within local authorities and trusts to explore the dynamics of implementation cultures at the front line. While national and local policies are clearly important, so too are political cultures, commissioning practices and interrelationships between key stakeholders. While local authorities have enjoyed considerable discretion and autonomy in this area, the article concludes that greater harmonisation may be required in the interests of social justice.