State of the South West 2008

Disability

10.35 The presence of a disability or long term illness can have significant implications for an individual’s quality of life and on their ability to participate fully in society. For example, educational attainment can be affected, as can the ability to participate in the labour market. This in turn can impact on income levels and associated living standards. More widely, on both a physical and emotional level, an individual may feel less able to socialise with others and thus experience isolation and an increased sense of vulnerability.

There are a range of different sources of information on the extent and nature of disability and ill-health:

• the 2001 Census people were asked to say whether they had any long-term illness, health problem or disability which limited their daily activities.
• the Annual Population Survey gives information about the economic activity of working age people who are disabled.
• benefit statistics give information about the scale of disability and incapacity and of the main conditions.

10.36 Across a range of measures, the extent and nature of disability amongst the population in the South West is broadly similar to that for England as a whole.  The South West does however has the highest incidence of disability among the southern most regions.

10.37 Limiting Long Term Illness (LLTI) - At the time of the 2001 Census, almost 900,000 people in the South West stated that they had a long-term illness or health problem which limited their daily activities. This was about 18% of the population, a similar proportion to England as a whole, and was the 4th lowest percentage among the 9 English regions. About a third of South West households had one or more people with a LLTI, the same proportion as in England as a whole. The proportion of people with a LLTI was highest in districts in the south and west of the region.

10.38 Working Age Disabled People - According to the Annual Population Survey (Apr 2006 – Mar 2007), 556,700 working age people in the South West are disabled. This is almost 19% of the working age population, the 4th lowest proportion in the 9 regions, but the highest in the south of England. Of these, over 59% are economically active and  55% are employed, the 2nd highest proportions among the English regions. The equivalent rates for non-disabled working age people in the South West are about 86% and 83%.

10.39 In the South West, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly has the highest percentage (25%) of its working age people that are disabled, followed by Torbay (24%) and Plymouth (21%).  These areas also have some of the lowest economic activity and employment rates for disabled people in the region.

For more information:  data from the Annual Population Survey is accessible via NOMIS

10.40 Disability Benefit Claimants - In May 2007 about 378,900 adults and children in the south west received either the Disability Living Allowance or the Attendance Allowance. More than a fifth of people receiving these benefits were affected by arthritis. Mental health disability affected a further 13%. Both these proportions were slightly less than for England as a whole. Frailty is the main disabling condition for a tenth of benefit recipients, a much higher percentage than nationally, reflecting the older age profile of the South West. Other disabling conditions are present among South West recipients in similar proportions to England as a whole.

10.41 Incapacity Benefit Claimants - In May 2007 about 197,300 people in the South West claimed an incapacity benefit, some of whom also claimed disability benefits. All but 3,000 of these benefit recipients were of working age. About 43% of these people were affected by mental and behavioural disorders, a slightly larger proportion than in England as a whole.