Two Pembrokeshire campaigners for visually impaired people are in London today (Wednesday), to lobby MPs over the ‘unfair’ rate of disability living allowance for blind people.

People with serious sight problems can claim just £17.75 of the state benefit a week, compared to people with other disabilities who can get the mobility rate of £47.75.

The difference means that visually impaired people are frequently financially restricted from getting out and about.

“If your vision is bad then you obviously are unable to drive, and often have no choice but to buy your transport,” said 48-year-old Martin Goodall, who is one of more than 400 people in Pembrokeshire who are registered blind.

“Yet we are not being given the money to do so. In the case of some blind people, the lack of money means they have to make a choice between going shopping or keeping a doctor’s appointment.”

Mr Goodall, of Uzmaston Road, Haverfordwest, is on the national executive committee of the National Federation of the Blind in the UK, a member of access groups in Pembrokeshire and has represented Wales at indoor bowls.

“One of the reasons why this extra money is so vital is because it will enable us to go out and act as an ordinary person,” he added.

“That’s just what we are, except our eyes don’t work very well. From a personal point of view, this extra money would give me freedom to do so much more, including getting out to help other people with sight problems.”

He and Terry Brace, also of Haverfordwest, will be among more than 100 people from Wales at Westminster today, along with campaigners from the rest of the UK.

Sarah Rochira, director of RNIB Cymru, said: “It is completely unacceptable that blind people across Wales are being denied financial support — available to other disabled people — that would enable them to travel and leave their homes safely and independently.

“It is outrageous that a government which talks about fairness and eradicating poverty lets down those most in need.”

Anyone who would like to show support for the RNIB’s campaign for a change in disability living allowance can write to their MP.