Politics

May 25, 2017 0

Election 2017: Conservatives promise more emphasis on accessible housing

The Conservative party has promised to force local authorities to plan for the provision of accessible housing for disabled and older people, if it retains power in next month’s general election. The party also announced that employers who recruit disabled people – and employees from other groups, such as care-leavers – would be given

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Mary Griffiths Clarke head and shoulders

May 25, 2017 0

Election 2017: Tories attacked after dedicating manifesto only to ‘working families’

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The Conservatives have been accused of promoting a “divisive” and “punitive” attitude to disabled people that “breeds contempt and hostility”, after dedicating their manifesto only to “working people”. The introduction to the manifesto pledges that a Tory government under Theresa May would be driven by “the interests of ordinary, working families”, who were the

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Jonathan Bartley and Caroline Lucas, both smiling

May 25, 2017 0

Election 2017: Greens call for inclusive education, and accessible homes and transport

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The Green party has called in its general election manifesto for moves towards an inclusive education system, as well as pledging universal free social care, significantly more accessible homes and a fully accessible transport system. The manifesto proposes moves towards a universal basic income, a benefit system in which everyone in the country –

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Kirstein Rummery head and shoulders, with hills in the background

May 25, 2017 0

Election 2017: Elected office access fund closure was ‘undemocratic tragedy’

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Disabled politicians seeking to become MPs say the government’s decision to stop providing funding to help with their extra campaigning costs has made it harder for them to be successful in next month’s general election. They have told Disability News Service (DNS) that the closure of the Access to Elected Office Fund (AEOF) was

Politics

May 18, 2017

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Election 2017: Labour’s rights pledges suggest vindication for Abrahams

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Labour’s general election manifesto includes a string of policies aimed at improving the rights of disabled people, including a commitment to incorporate the UN disability convention into UK law for the first time. The manifesto appears to be a vindication of the efforts of shadow work and pensions secretary Debbie Abrahams (pictured), who headed

Politics

May 18, 2017

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Election 2017: Lib Dems would scrap all sanctions, benefit cap and PIP 20-metre rule

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A Liberal Democrat government would scrap all benefit sanctions, end the benefit cap and reverse the controversial personal independence payment (PIP) “20-metre rule” that has led to tens of thousands of disabled people losing their Motability vehicles. Although the three policies are not included in the party’s manifesto, which was published yesterday (Wednesday), the

Politics

May 18, 2017

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Election 2017: Plaid Cymru call for social security powers… so they can sack Maximus

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Plaid Cymru have called in their election manifesto for the Welsh government to be given responsibility for running the social security system in Wales, which would allow it to ban private companies from carrying out disability benefit assessments. The policy mirrors what has happened with some benefits in Scotland, with the Scottish government announcing

Politics

May 11, 2017

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General Election 2017: Disabled actor says national party role has given her a voice

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A critically-praised disabled writer and performer says her election as a national spokesperson for the Women’s Equality Party has allowed her to feel “equal” for the first time in her life. Athena Stevens is one of six national spokespeople elected by Women’s Equality Party members at its conference last November, and is speaking for

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Marie Rimmer speaking in the House of Commons

May 4, 2017

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Snap election puts co-production of Labour social security policies at risk

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Labour has refused to say what impact the snap election will have on its lengthy efforts to ensure that disabled people’s views are at the heart of its new social security policies. Although it says the results of its Disability Equality Roadshow will still feed into the party’s development of its manifesto, it has

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