Politics

May 18, 2017

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

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

Politics

Lord Shinkwin speaking in the House of Lords

April 27, 2017

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Concern as minister appoints Tory peer as equality watchdog’s disability lead

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The government’s decision to appoint a second consecutive Tory peer to lead on the equality watchdog’s work on disabled people’s rights could put its status as a leading international human rights institution in jeopardy, according to a former commissioner. In a long-delayed appointment, Lord [Kevin] Shinkwin has replaced his fellow Conservative peer Lord [Chris]

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Philip Hammond delivering the budget, watched by the prime minister behind him

March 9, 2017

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Spring budget: ‘Derisible’ government money is ‘meaningless’ in face of care crisis

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More than £2 billion in extra money for social care over the next three years – announced by the chancellor in yesterday’s budget – is “meaningless” when set against the scale of the funding crisis, disabled campaigners have warned. The spring budget contained few significant announcements on key issues of concern for disabled people,

Politics

February 23, 2017

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Minister appoints 11 ‘sector champions’ to boost inclusion

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One of the 11 new “sector champions” selected by a minister to tackle the issues disabled people face as consumers has already used the appointment to rethink his own strategy on inclusion, he has told Disability News Service. Robin Sheppard (pictured), the chair and founder of Bespoke Hotels, the UK’s largest independent hotel group,

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