A NEW means-tested benefit system is to be introduced for disabled people, despite protests from campaigners.

Southampton City Council agreed the controversial sliding scale fees for Direct Payment services to disabled and vulnerable people.

It will bring the city in line with the rest of the country and mean disabled people pay for their care depending on their income. But a small group of campaigners gathered at the Civic Centre jeered when the decision was made and threw paper aeroplanes at executive members.

They claim that about one-third of people in the city who currently receive Direct Payment for home services will face price rises because of the changes.

They believe that a full public consultation was not carried out when the policy was being formulated.

Ian Loynes, from Southampton Centre for Independent Living (SCIL), said means-testing would take money away from those most in need.

"A survey by the council didn't ask us if we all wanted to be means-tested and when we had a public meeting about it not one person supported the report put forward," he said.

Dr John Beer, executive director of social services, said 62 per cent of those not on direct payment thought that those who are should be included in the charging scheme. About 2,500 people in Southampton currently receive Direct Payment for home care services and of them about 1,900 already contribute.