After almost a year and half of uncertainty, National has finally reversed some of its damaging changes to disability funding.

“Disability communities fought long and hard for the return of flexible funding that was cruelly taken away by National,” Labour’s disability issues spokesperson Priyanca Radhakrishnan said.

“Labour has been calling for flexibility to be reinstated and so while this news might offer some reprieve, I question why the Government put disabled people and their families through such pain in the first place.

“Disability communities told the Government, through recent consultations, what they’ve been saying for years – they want better choice and control over the services they access.

“While the Government has been dithering, disabled people have been suffering unnecessarily because of its cruel changes. 

“Christopher Luxon should apologise for the pain he has put disabled people and their families through with his flip-flopping on flexible funding,” Priyanca Radhakrishnan said.