A disabled man has helped to successfully challenge a government decision to scrap a fund which helps people in his position lead independent lives.

Gabriel Pepper, 41, of Samira Close in Walthamstow, and four other people with disabilities claimed the move would seriously diminish many people’s quality of life and took their fight to the High Court.

And today judges unanimously decided the government’s decision to scrap the £320million Independent Living Fund, which supports nearly 20,000 people, was unlawful.

Mr Pepper, who is visually impaired and suffers from stamina and coordination issues as a result of a brain tumour, said the fight against cuts to welfare must continue.

“This is an important and historic ruling,” he said.

“It’s a ruling about human rights. This was a disgusting, appalling attack. My human rights have been trampled on by this government who are trying to destroy the whole welfare state.”

He said he thought the government would continue to try to close the fund.

“This is just a foothill on the way to a mountain pass,” he added.

“The fund will continue, but what this does mean is that, when we’ve got rid of this government, the fund will be saved by the next one.

“I’m going to continue campaigning to save the welfare state. There’s still a long way to go.”

Mr Pepper and the rest of the group are reported to receive an average of £300 per week from the fund, which helps with the costs such as travel to work.

The court was told the loss of the funds would jeopardise the group’s right to live with dignity and potentially force them to move into residential care.

Lord Justice McCombe, with Lords Justices Elias and Kitchen quashed an original High Court decision in favour of the government.

The coalition had planned to devolve responsibility for the fund to local authorities, but campaigners feared this would lead to the removal of ring-fencing which guarantees that the funding is used to support independent living.