PROPOSED budget cuts which will penalise people with learning disabilities and their carers have been branded ?the economics of the madhouse? by John Burnett MP.

He condemned the Fairer Charges scheme ? the government?s recently issued new guidance for local authorities on charging for non residential social services. But he accepted, because of demands, Devon County Council was having ?severe problems? balancing the books.

The MP for West Devon and Torridge was recently at a meeting in the Charter Hall, Okehampton, convened by Jeffe Cunliffe who represents Mencap on Devon Community Council.

More than 60 anxious carers and students of the Leaze attended the meeting, along with Sam Newman from Devon County Council?s social services department.

Mr Cunliffe said the proposed charges ? due to start in October ? had ?frightened? a number of students who use the day care facilities at the Leaze.

?They have come up to me in the street and some have been in tears saying they won?t be able to go to the Leaze because of the charges.?

Mr Burnett said he understood the county had constraints but felt it was ?foolish? to cut back on services that are saving huge amounts of money.

?If we as a country cannot find the resources to give a reasonable life to some of the most vulnerable people in society then there is something seriously wrong,? said Mr Burnett.

He claimed Devon County Council was taking imprudent steps that were undermining the carers in the community. He said this would ultimately cause a greater call on 100 per cent residential accommodation.

?If we don?t support carers it is very short-sighted. What you gain on the swings you lose on the roundabouts because if the carers cannot get respite then they cannot carry on. Surely the point is to encourage caring.?

Seeking to save small sums of money was, he said, putting huge sums in jeopardy because the cost of residential accommodation was enormous.

?We want people to have independence and be with carers. You cannot undermine that because if you do all that happens is you are going to encourage greater costs.?

He said introducing means testing was divisive.

?At places like the Leaze there is an atmosphere of inclusivity with everyone treated the same. But if some pay and some don?t it will be a ridiculous situation.?

An Okehampton Mencap spokesperson said the Leaze students had been worried by the situation.

?The people that lived independently are affected the worse because if they cannot afford the charges in October they will have to remain home and be far more vulnerable than they are now.?

The spokesperson said there were more than 40 students attending the Leaze ? the only day care service in the area.

?It is worrying knowing there are people out there that cannot afford the charges. These people need a day service not only for themselves but for their carers.

?There will be people stuck at home doing nothing which means, in the long term, lots more problems and more money having to be found.?

The carers and students are signing a petition and writing letters to Mr Burnett.