Disability campaigners held a demonstration against the closure of the Independent Living Fund (ILF) outside Waltham Forest town hall yesterday (September 1).

Gabriel Pepper, 44, a Walthamstow resident and a member of the Disabled People Against Cuts group, had been a recipient of the fund for 16 years before it closed on June 30.

The ILF was paying out an average of £300 a week to over 80 residents who received it in Waltham Forest so they can choose to live in the communities, rather than in residential care.

He expects to have his care hours cut by 48 per cent leaving him with just one hour a week to do his shopping.

The fund, worth £320m a year, was transferred from the Department for Work and Pensions to local authorities but it was not ring-fenced which allows Waltham Forest council to spend it in other areas.

Mr Pepper said: “We are here to show the council that we are not happy.

“The most disabled people are being pushed to the margins society and people are dying after being declared fit for work.

“My carers could be made redundant and I worry for their jobs, they rely on my work too.

“I am not going to vanish, this affects me and other disabled people in the borough. I went in to the House of Commons about this in June and I will be taking legal action against the government.

“I am not hopeless, I am angry and there is a long fight ahead.

His ex-wife Penny Pepper, who is also disabled, was alongside to offer her support.

She said: “We want the council to be more realistic. Gabriel’s condition is going to get worse and worse without support.

“The council are spending the money on other things and we want to know what. Maybe the flowers and the nice fountain here outside the town hall. Where are their priorities? How can they justify cuts at this level?”

The protest came as it was reported that Iain Duncan Smith’s controversial welfare reforms are facing a United Nations investigation over possible violations of disabled peoples’ human rights.

Before the closure of the ILF Cabinet member for adult services, councillor Angie Bean said the council was "committed" to ensuring vulnerable residents live independent lives.

She said: "While no local authority has been directed by government to ring-fence ILF funding, everyone who received the ILF in Waltham Forest is being assessed to make sure they have an appropriate, council-funded care plan to meet their assessed needs in place when the scheme stops.”

Waltham Forest council have been approached for further comment.