Independent Living Fund: re-appointment of Chair of trustees

Minister for Disabled People, Esther McVey today (18th April 2013) announced the reappointment of Stephen Jack as Chair of the Independent Living Fund board of trustees for a further term from 1 May 2013 to 31 March 2015.  The Independent Living Fund (2006) is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and operates as a discretionary trust managed by a board of trustees appointed by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

The Independent Living Fund is wholly funded by the DWP and the Department for Social Development in Northern Ireland and provides financial support to severely disabled people who wish to live independently in the community. Help is provided in the form of cash payments to individuals, which are used to buy personal care and/or domestic assistance, providing greater opportunities for choice and control in their individual care arrangements. They work in partnership with local authorities to devise joint care packages.

On 18 December, following a consultation on the future of the Independent Living Fund, the Government announced that the Fund would close on 31 March 2015 with funding will be devolved to local government in England and the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales. From April 2013, the Independent Living Fund will embark on an intensive programme of transitional review activity that will ensure that every current user has individually-agreed agreed arrangements in place for transferring their care packages to local authorities.  Stephen’s reappointment will enable the Independent Living Fund to continue to benefit from his leadership and experience over this transitional period.

There are seven existing trustees who are remunerated according to their position within the Trust and entitled to be reimbursed for all reasonable and proper expenses incurred in carrying out their duties.

Stephen will be remunerated an annual sum of £19,500, out of the Trust Fund for fulfilling his role.

About Stephen Jack

Stephen is a Chartered Accountant who has held senior management positions in a number of international financial services organisations. He is currently a Non-Executive Director of Anchor Trust, England’s largest provider of care and housing for older people, and a Trustee and the Treasurer of the Greater London Fund for the Blind.