An extra £20 million has been pledged for the fund which helps elderly people and those with disabilities to carry on living independently in their own homes.

The Disabled Facilities Grant is worth a total of £200 million this year, and is awarded to pay for adaptations such as grab rails, accessible bathroom or kitchen facilities, wheelchair ramps, etc. The extra funds were announced by Grant Shapps, the Housing Minister, as part of a £51 million programme to support independent living.

He said: “As we get older the last thing we want is for our properties to become our prisons. That’s why today I’m offering a new deal for older people, backed with millions of pounds of Government cash, to ensure elderly residents get the support they need to live independently and comfortably in their own homes for as long as they can, with particular support for those leaving hospital.”

By providing extra funds for Home Improvement Agencies, they want to help ensure that people can access reliable tradespeople to carry out necessary alterations and installations, rather than risk being ripped off by ‘rogue traders’. If you would like to find your local Home Improvement Agency, you can do so on the Foundations website

Local councils will also be obliged to ensure suitable numbers of accessible properties are included in their future housing plans as part of the government’s proposals.