yes, it can. B&Q, plumbcentre etc all stock replacement handles with flush levers, or plumbcentre stock just the flush lever. easy job to change without touching water supply.
mark, WRAS plumber, October 2008
Any large DIY store have all the parts you need on the racks.
Rich, October 2008
Brian,
This happened to me just recently, best thing to do is look for your nearest plumbing installer, and ask if he has any old cisterns that you could maybe get a spare part from, they don't normally charge anything for it, as they usually get scrapped eventually.