Disabled activists – and a suspended Labour MP – have told campaigners that they can win the battle to force the government into a U-turn over its planned cuts to disability benefits. But they also warned the Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) […]
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DWP refuses to apologise after using ‘deeply irresponsible’ figure to exaggerate benefit claimant rise
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has refused to apologise for massively exaggerating the rise in people claiming out-of-work disability benefits, and then tried to cover-up its actions, just as ministers are trying to justify sweeping cuts to spending. DWP claimed […]
Research links increase in ill-health to rising benefit claims, just as government prepares ‘catastrophic’ cuts
New research links a significant rise in sickness and mental ill-health since the start of the pandemic to an increase in the number of people claiming disability benefits, just as ministers prepare to announce significant cuts to that support. The research provides […]
Ticket office cuts by three rail firms are just a test run for fresh round of reductions, campaigners warn
Cuts to ticket office opening hours by three rail providers across England and Scotland are just a forerunner of further reductions to come across the country, which will have a significant impact on disabled passengers, campaigners have warned. The warning came after […]
Self-advocates from across London send government a message of fear, concern… and anger over benefit cuts
People with learning difficulties from across the capital have delivered a powerful call to the government over threatened cuts to disability benefits, and warned they could take “drastic” action if ministers do not listen to their concerns. At a meeting of self-advocates […]
Disabled author swamped by hate speech after social media post on feminism
The response to comments made by a journalist and author have exposed the disablist and dehumanising abuse disabled women often receive when they speak out publicly on controversial issues. A social media post featuring a brief comment by Lucy Webster (pictured) at […]
Failed by the SEND system: Five young disabled campaigners tell MPs government must ‘listen to our voices’
Five young disabled people who have been failed by the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system have told MPs that the government and education sector must listen to their voices if they want to fix the barriers they have faced. Lucy […]
Not one electric vehicle public charging point across the UK meets government’s accessibility standard, say MPs
There is not a single public charging point for electric vehicles across the whole of the UK that meets the government’s own accessibility standard, a report by a committee of MPs has found. The Commons public accounts committee said disabled drivers had […]
Nurse used benefit assessment info to launch campaign of harassment that left disabled neighbour suicidal
A nurse who carried out benefit assessments on behalf of the government obtained a medical report belonging to his disabled neighbour and then used it to launch a campaign of bullying and harassment that left him suicidal. Carlo* has told Disability News […]
DWP is broken and needs to be scrapped and replaced, say Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats have called for the “completely broken” Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to be scrapped and replaced with a new department that is “more supportive and inclusive” for benefit claimants. The call has come from Steve Darling, one of […]
UN calls for ‘corrective measures’ to Tory disability benefit reforms, just as Labour prepares cuts of its own
A report by the United Nations (UN) has called on the UK government to take “corrective measures” to address the impact of cuts to disability benefits introduced under Conservative governments, just as Labour ministers prepare to introduce further such cuts. The recommendation […]
Councils now only able to offer the ‘bare minimum’ of adult social care support, MPs are told
Local authorities in England are now only able to provide the “bare minimum” of services to disabled and older people who need support through the adult social care system, MPs were told yesterday (Wednesday). Three senior local government figures were giving evidence […]
Extra costs evidence from grassroots group provides stark warning to ministers set to cut disability benefits
New research from disabled activists has shown the huge variety of ways in which mental health impairments can cause significant extra daily living costs, just as the government appears set to announce fresh cuts to disability benefits. The grassroots, user-led mental health […]
Cautious welcome for Arts Council England report that shows striking increase in disabled leaders
Arts Council England (ACE) has reported a significant increase in the number of disabled people in leadership positions within the organisations it is funding, although leading figures in the disability arts world say there is still much more to do. In its […]
Family say DWP has unanswered questions over death of disabled woman whose benefits were stopped
The family of a disabled woman whose body lay undiscovered in her flat for more than three years after her benefits were stopped say they have serious unanswered questions about the actions of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Laura Winham’s […]
Death of disabled woman failed by multiple agencies ‘must be catalyst for change’, say family
The family of a disabled woman whose body lay undiscovered in her flat for more than three years say her death must be a “catalyst for change”, after the failure of multiple organisations to support and protect her. They say Laura Winham […]
Research that ministers sat on for three years shows no evidence to support call for PIP cuts
Ministers have sat on research for three years that linked the sharp increase in claims for disability benefits with a deterioration in disabled people’s health, an increase in the financial hardship they were facing, and their need for independence. Successive governments have […]
Bank surveillance bill could lead to greatest miscarriage of justice in British history, disabled activist tells MPs
A disabled activist has told MPs that parliament could set in train the greatest miscarriage of justice in British history, if it approves new laws that would force banks to carry out mass surveillance of millions of disabled people. Rick Burgess, from […]
Government’s railways consultation has ‘betrayed’ disabled passengers, campaigners tell minister
Disabled campaigners and allies have accused the government of “betrayal” after it dropped plans to put accessibility at the heart of rail reforms from a hugely important public consultation. In a letter to transport secretary Heidi Alexander, they warn that current plans […]
Government claims of ‘spiralling’ spending on benefits are false and ‘ideological’, official figures show
Official figures prove that government claims that social security spending is “spiralling out of control” are “not based on any real facts”, say disabled activists. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) figures show instead that total spending as a proportion of GDP* […]
Rayner to push ahead with evacuation plans that are ‘insult’ to disabled people who died at Grenfell
The government has confirmed that it will push ahead with “watered down” proposals for the emergency evacuation of disabled people who live in high-rise residential buildings, in response to the Grenfell fire inquiry. In its “full response” to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s […]