the country's only news agency specialising in disability issues
Next April’s cuts to out-of-work disability benefits are likely to have “devastating” consequences for disabled people’s mental health, and drive many into serious poverty, research into the impact of similar Conservative reforms has warned. The Labour government’s cuts are also likely to […]
It is “crucial” that the government is shown new research which highlights that “obscene” plans to cut out-of-work disability benefits are likely to have “devastating” consequences for claimants, say disabled activists. Disability News Service (DNS) reports today (see separate story) how research […]
The government has refused to say if it is secretly working on how to implement assisted suicide legislation that has yet to be approved by parliament, despite repeatedly claiming it has taken a “neutral” stance on the bill. The concerns emerged during […]
The work and pensions secretary has admitted to MPs that his department has identified “key areas for improvement” in how it protects benefit claimants from harm, following years of deaths linked to its actions and failings. In a letter to the Commons […]
Work and pensions secretary Pat McFadden has failed to apologise after he misled MPs about his department’s system for pushing sick and disabled people into work. McFadden yesterday (Wednesday) exaggerated the flaws in the current system, as he attempted to persuade MPs […]
London’s transport authority is refusing to provide details of how it could potentially close nearly every ticket office along the new Elizabeth line cross-capital rail system. The Elizabeth Line only opened three years ago but extracts from a contract – seen by […]
Inaccessible public transport is a “growing barrier” for disabled sports fans, according to the results of an annual survey by a disabled-led charity. Level Playing Field said the results of its fifth online survey showed that the proportion of disabled fans who […]
Many terminally-ill people would feel “duress” and “pressure” to choose an assisted suicide if it is legalised, because of the lack of funding for the NHS, palliative care and social care services, a disabled activist has told MPs and peers. Liz Carr […]
Disabled people’s organisations (DPOs) have united in opposition to attempts to legalise assisted suicide, after months of being excluded from parliamentary discussions. In an open letter, DPOs from across England and Wales have declared opposition to the bill and are protesting at […]
Cross-party MPs have warned that ministers’ refusal to introduce a key protection into their new fraud and error bill could see a repeat of the countless deaths caused by the austerity measures of past governments. The concern was raised by MPs debating […]
A new “independent” investigation into the rising number of young people who are not in jobs, training or education will exclusively target sick and disabled claimants, a government document has revealed. A Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) press release had said […]
A new project to research and reveal 50 years of stories behind the rise of the disability arts movement has been awarded nearly £250,000 of National Lottery funding. Disability Arts Online (DAO) is hoping its project will collect previously untold stories and […]
The government needs to change its “extremely damaging” narrative that suggests disabled people are an “economic burden”, and move away from threats and sanctions, if it wants to increase disability employment, MPs have been told. Disabled people’s organisations (DPOs) told members of […]
The disability minister has refused once again to explain what role he played in his department’s secret programme to cut Access to Work (AtW) grants. It is the latest failure by Sir Stephen Timms to clarify when and how the Department for Work […]
New official figures – hidden by government and opposition parties – have exposed months of lies by politicians and the media about “spiralling” spending on social security and the need to cut benefits. The updated statistics from the Office for Budget Responsibility […]
The government has restored accessibility to the heart of its planned rail reforms, in a victory for disabled campaigners and allies who fought plans to remove a key measure from new legislation. Labour had previously dropped plans to ensure there was a […]
A government review has called for action by employers and ministers to ensure “safer, more supportive, inclusive workplaces” and to address the barriers faced by sick and disabled people in and out of work. The final report of the Keep Britain Working […]
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has refused to rule out spending cuts to personal independence payment (PIP) when it completes a year-long review that is being headed by the disability minister. Misleading reports in right-wing media last week suggested that […]
A veteran activist, who has spent her life campaigning for disability rights, has called on the government to fix the “rotten to the core” social care system, after experiencing “terrifying” treatment during a short stay in a care home. Rachel Hurst, now […]
Tens of thousands of disabled people and allies have made clear to the government that they reject any plans to cut spending on personal independence payment (PIP) and other disability-related support. The views came in response to a public consultation on March’s […]
Ministers have dumped plans for a major white paper containing a swathe of further cuts and reforms to disability benefits, following months of activism by disabled people and allies that forced the government into a major U-turn this summer. Work and pensions […]