Horrified disabled activists have reported the work and pensions secretary to the equality watchdog after he seemed to blame incapacity benefit (IB) claimants for the size of the government’s budget deficit. Iain Duncan Smith said in an interview in the Sun […]
News Archive
Equality strategy will move away from ‘government knows best’
The government has pledged to make it easier for disabled people to become MPs and to research ways to prevent bullying of disabled children, as part of its new equality strategy. Theresa May, the home secretary and minister for women and […]
RADAR boss to head government work review
A leading disabled campaigner is to head a new government review of the employment support it offers disabled people. Liz Sayce, chief executive of RADAR, will review support services such as those provided through the new Work Choice programme, the government’s […]
Care system must provide safety net, says commission
The care and support system must continue to provide a “safety net” for disabled and older people with “the lowest means and highest needs”, according to the commission examining how to reform its long-term funding. The Commission on Funding of Care […]
Disabled Scots ‘have lost ground during recession’
Disabled people in Scotland appear to have suffered more from the recession than non-disabled people, according to a new report by the Scottish government. The report, Coping with Change and Uncertainty also says disabled, low-skilled and young unemployed people all have […]
MSPs throw out assisted suicide bill
MSPs have easily defeated plans to legalise assisted suicide and euthanasia in Scotland. The end of life assistance (Scotland) bill would have allowed those “whose life has become intolerable”, and who met a series of conditions, to “legally access assistance to […]
New standard on web access ‘could have real impact’
The first “British standard” on website accessibility could force businesses to take the issue seriously, according to one leading disabled expert. British Standard 8788 (BS 8788) on web accessibility was released this week and builds on guidance published four years ago. […]
Survivor of brutal abuse forced to ‘pay back’ benefits
A disabled man who was brutally assaulted and neglected at a notorious residential home 20 years ago has been forced to “pay back” benefits that were fraudulently claimed in his name by one of his abusers. David Jackson (not his real […]
MPs attack ‘cruel’ and ‘crude’ DLA plans
MPs have attacked the government’s “crude, cruel” plans to remove a key disability benefit from most disabled people in residential homes. The Labour MP Tom Clarke said the “outrageous” decision to stop council-funded residents claiming the mobility component of DLA – […]
Recorded hate crime nearly doubles in one year
Recorded levels of disability hate crime have almost doubled in one year, according to new police figures. The Association of Chief Police Officers figures show there were 1, 402 recorded disability hate crimes across England, Wales and Northern Ireland during 2009. […]