The next step in a radical shake-up of the way disabled people use state funding took place, as Jonathan Shaw, Minister for Disabled People, named the Trailblazer areas which will test the Right to Control. Right to Control gives disabled adults more choice and control over the state funding they receive – allowing them to shape the support they receive, or use the money to buy their own services or equipment.

Disabled people in the Trailblazer areas can expect a more personalised service joining up housing, support into work and community care. There will also be extra support and advice to help people choose services and decide how to spend their money.

The eight Trailblazing local authorities have been named as:

Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council and Sheffield City Council (joint)

Essex County Council

Greater Manchester – incorporating Manchester City Council, Oldham Council, Bury Council, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council and Trafford Council

Leicester City Council

London Borough of Barnet

London Borough of Newham

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, and

Surrey County Council (two Districts Epsom and Ewell Borough Council, and Reigate and Banstead Borough Council)

Each of these local authorities will have to work with disabled people to develop individual support plans and each plan will make effective use of all the funding available to an individual, to meet their goals. £7 million will be available for Trailblazer local authorities and Jobcentre Plus to make the changes necessary to deliver the Right to Control.

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