DISABLED people in the borough are set to benefit from a £1 million Government grant aimed at improving the way care services are provided for them.

Barnet Council is one of only eight 'Trailblazer' authorities nationwide to be selected as part of the Right to Control initiative, which gives disabled adults more choice over how to use the state funding they receive.

The Department for Work and Pensions will provide the council with up to £1 million to help provide a more “personalised” service for residents with a disability.

The scheme will support the council's work in giving residents control over how they receive their care services from the public sector in Barnet.

Councillor Sachin Rajput, cabinet member for adults, said: "As one of a very small number of authorities in the country that have chosen to be a 'Trailblazer', Barnet is making a clear statement of its intention to lead the way in the personalisation of public services.

"The extra funding will give a real boost to disabled residents in Barnet, giving them more control over their care and support in the near future and supporting residents to live independently in their community."

The bid to be a 'Trailblazer' was made jointly by the Barnet, Edgware, Finchley and Hendon Jobcentre Plus branches, who will work with council officers to help support those people with disabilities who want to work to find an appropriate job.

Jonathan Shaw, Minister for disabled people, said the scheme will help give disabled people the independence they ask for.

He added: "Disabled people are the experts in their own lives and that is why, through the Right to Control, we have worked with them to give people more control over the funding they receive and the services they use."