ONE in three disabled people will cancel Christmas because they can’t afford it, a survey reveals today.

The disability charity Sense called for targeted financial support for vulnerable households this winter as its research also found more than half of disabled people are falling into debt due to spiralling costs.

The charity’s chief Richard Kramer said: “With disabled people living in debt and worrying about the next bill, it shouldn’t be a surprise that so many are cancelling Christmas plans. 

“And yet, today’s research is a timely reminder of what some of the most vulnerable households in the country are going through. 

“Every day, disabled people are having to make impossible choices, like whether to eat or heat the home. And Christmas, far from being a time for celebration, has just become an additional, unbearable expense.”

Sense said that the government’s pledge to uprate welfare benefits by 6.7 per cent from April next year won’t come close to providing disabled benefits claimants the money they need to afford the cost of essentials, such as energy, continuing to rise.  

Mr Kramer added: “It doesn’t have to be like this. The government must act now to bring in targeted financial support to those who need it over the winter.” 

The survey also found two-thirds of disabled people are constantly worried about bills and 34 per cent will not see any friends or family or buy any festive food.

Nearly half said they won’t buy any presents, while two in five  will not turn on any festive lights because of fears around the cost of energy. 

More than half of disabled households are also turning the heating down or off and more than a third skipping meals.