A wheelchair-user has questioned why Transport for London (TfL) has suddenly stopped her and other disabled passengers from using a ramp to board trains at an underground station. Until two weeks ago, Dr Ruth Bailey was using one of the portable […]
News Archive
Speaker says MPs should look again at laws ‘before lives are damaged’
Parliament should be given the chance to “think again” about government legislation that could damage the lives of “a large number” of disabled people, the speaker of the House of Commons has told campaigners. John Bercow made the unexpected call at […]
Disabled people ‘must find their voices again’, says Tanni
Disabled people need to “shout a bit louder” to defend themselves against government attacks on their rights, a disabled peer has told an audience of parliamentarians and campaigners. In one of her most outspoken speeches since becoming a peer, the retired […]
Osborne ‘forgets’ to assess impact of benefits cap on disabled people
The government faces new questions about its commitment to supporting disabled people, after the chancellor announced details of a new cap on benefits spending, and then failed to assess its likely impact on disabled people. Although some campaigners dismissed the cap […]
McVey’s conference withdrawal ‘shows high-handed disregard’
The minister for disabled people has been criticised for pulling out of a key speech about her reforms and disability living allowance (DLA) cuts to an audience of disabled people and other campaigners. Esther McVey was due to give the opening […]
DWP admits ‘real’ disability poverty rose under coalition
The number of disabled people in “absolute” poverty rose by 100, 000 during the coalition’s second year in office, according to new figures obtained by Disability News Service (DNS). The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) published figures two weeks ago […]
‘Worrying’ consultation document brings new PIP concerns
Campaigners have raised concerns about crucial sections of a new government consultation on controversial changes that have tightened eligibility for the new mobility benefit. The Conservative minister for disabled people, Esther McVey, was forced to launch the consultation after facing a […]
Figures show Work Programme is leaving disabled jobseekers behind
Fresh concerns have been raised over the government’s Work Programme after new figures showed that only a tiny proportion of disabled people have gained a job since the scheme launched two years ago. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said […]
Watchdog will be asked to examine Atos contract promises
The award of a £184 million disability assessment contract to the controversial outsourcing company Atos Healthcare is to be referred to the National Audit Office (NAO). The crossbench peer Lord Alton decided to write to NAO after he received “inadequate” answers […]
Artists join anti-cuts activists to boost fight to save ILF
Members of the disability arts movement came together with anti-cuts activists this week to look for a way to boost the fight to save the Independent Living Fund (ILF) from closure. Writer-performers Penny Pepper and Sophie Partridge were at the huge […]