Tory conference: Government side-lines working-age social care… again
The health and social care secretary has side-lined the support needs of working-age disabled people while announcing new funds for the social care system at this week’s Conservative party conference. Matt Hancock announced an extra £240 million for local authorities to help ease pressure on the NHS this winter, with the party saying the money
Anger and dismay after Labour back-tracks on pledge to scrap universal credit
Labour has infuriated its own disabled members by backtracking on a public pledge by the shadow chancellor that the party would scrap universal credit if it won the next general election. John McDonnell drew widespread praise when he told Sky’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday that universal credit was a “shambles” and “iniquitous” and added: “I
Government ‘blocked’ involvement of user-led groups in mental health summit
The government has been asked by campaigners from across the world why it blocked the “meaningful” involvement of user-led and survivor organisations in this week’s high-profile global mental health summit in London. Two open letters have criticised the way the Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit was organised, and the hypocrisy of it being hosted by
Government ‘blocked’ involvement of user-led groups in mental health summit
The government has been asked by campaigners from across the world why it blocked the “meaningful” involvement of user-led and survivor organisations in this week’s high-profile global mental health summit in London. Two open letters have criticised the way the Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit was organised, and the hypocrisy of it being hosted by
Watchdogs’ concern over government refusal to act on UN rights reports
Four equality and human rights watchdogs have heavily criticised the government for its failure to address the serious concerns raised in a “damning” UN report on the rights of disabled people across the UK. A year on from the report by the UN’s committee on the rights of persons with disabilities (pictured), in which it
Tory conference: Disability charities face questions over Conservative links
Two disability charities are facing questions over their close links to the Conservative party, after they failed to challenge the minister for disabled people about government policies at a conference fringe event. Both Bipolar UK and the Epilepsy Society have close links with the party, Disability News Service has established. Bipolar UK’s chief executive has
Anger after minister and BBC undermine ‘silent applause’ reasonable adjustment
A disabled activist has lodged complaints with the government and the BBC after the broadcaster’s flagship current affairs programme Question Time mocked the idea of using “silent applause” to make political events more accessible for autistic people. BBC Question Time (BBCQT) panellists were asked if they agreed with steps taken by the University of Manchester
Police work on disability hate crime is ‘unacceptable’, say watchdogs
The work of police officers on more than half of their disability hate crime investigations has been found to be “unacceptable”, according to a new report by two watchdogs. The joint inspection by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) is the third attempt in
Labour conference: Party forced to reconsider approach to inclusive education
Labour will be forced to think again about its approach to inclusive education, after concerns raised by a prominent disabled activist received resounding backing from party members. Richard Rieser told the party’s annual conference in Liverpool that part of a key policy document should not be approved because it did not commit Labour to a
Labour conference: Party forced to reconsider approach to inclusive education
Labour will be forced to think again about its approach to inclusive education, after concerns raised by a prominent disabled activist received resounding backing from party members. Richard Rieser told the party’s annual conference in Liverpool that part of a key policy document should not be approved because it did not commit Labour to a
British Council tries to dodge Equality Act, after signing up to Disability Confident
The government-funded organisation responsible for promoting the UK’s culture and education abroad is asking an employment tribunal to allow it to dodge its duty – under the Equality Act – not to discriminate against disabled people. The British Council is attempting to argue that English teacher Emily Frisby is not entitled to protection under the
Tory conference: Senior minister ignores accessible housing crisis
A senior government minister is facing criticism after ignoring the crisis in accessible housing in his speech to this week’s party conference. James Brokenshire, secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, told the conference that the prime minister saw housing as the government’s “biggest domestic priority”. Although he said that “everyone deserves a
Train companies could face court over inaccessible rail replacement buses
Train companies are facing possible legal action over their failure to ensure that replacement bus services are accessible to wheelchair-users and other rail passengers with mobility impairments. A leading disabled campaigner believes that access and equality laws mean most rail replacement buses – used when companies scrap train services because of engineering works or other
