Bute Gardens

*Please note this paper draws on work in progress – apologies for any inaccuracies* This paper presents some of the initial findings from an ESRC funded study: Disabled People and Direct Payments: A UK Comparative Study, which runs from 2004-2005. The study examines the implementation of direct payments across the UK for disabled people and is being carried out by researchers at the Universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Leeds. The project employs a multi-method strategy including a base-line statistical analysis, a policy review, key informant interviews, focus groups and targeted case studies to examine the history, policy and implementation of direct payments. Whilst the Community Care (Direct Payments) Act 1996 permitted local authorities to make payments in lieu of services to disabled people from April 1997, the impact of these changes has been highly variable in different parts of the UK. Overall, this has seen a concentration of users in areas of the south of England, with more sporadic access elsewhere. By outlining the background to policy development in each of the four locations and figures for current take-up, discussion explores some of emergent issues and themes to this pattern. In particular, this will highlight the role of disability activism and local political cultures in facilitating access to direct payments