The UK government has made “no significant progress” in the more than seven years since it was found guilty of “grave and systematic” violations of the UN disability convention, it has been told by human rights experts. In a report published late […]
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UN’s ‘damning verdict’ is ‘vindication’ of fightback against government’s rights violations
Disabled people’s organisations have welcomed the “damning verdict” of a UN committee on the government’s track record on key disability rights over the last seven years. They spoke out last night (Wednesday) as the UN committee on the rights of disabled people […]
Sunak’s ‘chilling, threatening’ speech on benefits ‘demonised disabled people’
The prime minister has been accused of whipping up hostility towards disabled people, and demonising and scapegoating claimants of disability benefits, with a new series of “chilling” reforms that will weaken the social security safety net. Rishi Sunak announced plans for new […]
Direct action ‘will put stake through the heart’ of government scapegoating of disabled people
Disabled activists have pledged to use direct action protests to “put a stake through the heart” of the idea that disabled people can be used as scapegoats and “whipping boys” in the run-up to general elections. At an emergency meeting of at […]
Activists’ shock as Scope ‘sacrifices integrity’ to partner with ‘hostile’ Daily Express
Shocked disabled campaigners have questioned why the disability charity Scope has partnered with a “scaremongering” national newspaper notorious for its hostile coverage of disabled people and other marginalised groups. The Daily Express is the official partner for Scope’s second Disability Equality Awards, […]
Government’s access advisers face criticism for ‘meaningless’ response on rail reform
The government’s advisers on accessible transport have been fiercely criticised for a half-hearted and “meaningless” response to the government’s planned rail reforms. In response to a call for evidence on the draft rail reform bill, the government’s independent advisers on accessible transport, […]
DWP claims it has no written evidence to show why it weakened suicide probe guidance
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) appears to have destroyed all written records that would have shown why it weakened guidance on when to investigate suicides of benefit claimants. DWP previously said it had no documents about the decision that were […]
Black disabled pupils face systemic barriers and injustice at school, says new report
A new report has shown how black disabled pupils in mainstream schools are exposed to “systemic and structural barriers and injustice”. It calls for disabled people’s organisations (DPOs) and racial justice movements to work together to amplify the voices of black and […]
Watchdog backs government over secret assessment of ticket office closures
The information commissioner has backed the government’s refusal to release its assessment of how plans to close nearly 1,000 ticket offices across England would have affected disabled people and other groups protected under the Equality Act. The Information Commissioner’s Office ruled that […]
‘Dangerous’ rollout of universal credit ‘poses threat’ to disabled claimants
The “dangerous” rollout of universal credit to half a million more claimants is a potential threat to the “safety and well-being” of disabled people who currently rely on so-called “legacy” benefits to survive, disability campaigners have warned. Tens of thousands of disabled […]
Reforms to disabled students’ support ‘will confuse and dilute our rights’
The government is threatening to make sweeping changes to the system of support for disabled students in higher education, which would remove many individual payments and transfer further responsibility onto universities. The plans would mean that many disabled students would no longer […]
This is an existential crisis for disabled people, says campaigner after climate change court win
A disabled campaigner who has helped secure a significant legal victory in the fight against climate change has warned that the government’s failure to take the necessary urgent action will put the lives of countless disabled people at risk. Doug Paulley (pictured) […]
Mayor’s stats show failure to enforce his own accessible housing standards
London’s mayor has been failing for years to enforce his own London Plan, which requires 90 per cent of new homes to be accessible and adaptable, and another 10 per cent to be suitable for wheelchair-users. Analysis by Disability News Service of […]
Letter from DPOs accuses care cuts council of ‘inhumane’ policies
Four disabled people’s organisations have written to Bristol’s mayor to call on him to abandon “inhumane and unacceptable” social care policies that are set to breach disabled people’s right to live independently. Disability Rights UK, Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People, Inclusion […]
Tory MP brands plan to scrap WCA and allow work coaches to decide fitness for work ‘a crazy idea’
A Conservative MP has branded government plans to scrap the work capability assessment (WCA) and hand jobcentre work coaches responsibility for deciding if someone is fit for work “a crazy idea”. Nigel Mills (pictured) made the comments as the Commons work and […]
Spring tour for austerity installation on DWP deaths that was inspired by war photographers
A spring tour of an award-winning installation is set to expose how the actions of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) caused “devastating violence” and led to countless deaths of benefit claimants in the austerity years. The mixed reality installation Museum […]
Trio of mayoral candidates show ‘contempt’ by snubbing disability hustings
Three candidates to be the next mayor of London have refused to explain why they failed to turn up to a packed hustings event that would have allowed disabled people from across the capital to question them on their policies. Just one […]
Met took formal action on just nine disability hate crimes in 2023, hustings is told
Only nine disability hate crimes in the whole of London led to significant action being taken by police last year, politicians have been told during a disabled people’s election hustings event. Although 600 disability hate crimes were recorded by the Metropolitan police […]
Government denies fixing Jodey Whiting inquest date to clash with Labour conference
The government has denied playing any role in deciding that a high-profile second inquest into a disabled woman’s suicide – linked closely to the actions of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) – will clash with the Labour party conference. A […]
Disabled people living on the streets, yards from former DWP offices
Some of the hundreds of disabled people left homeless on London’s streets have described how they came to be living in tents just yards from where the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) used to have many of its offices. An area […]
Government is misrepresenting workplace disability inequality, MPs are told
A disabled people’s organisation has accused the government of misrepresenting the high levels of inequality faced by disabled people in the workplace. In its submission to an inquiry by a Commons committee, Disability Rights UK (DR UK) pointed to research which undermined […]