The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has refused to say how many disabled people who took part in a major public consultation were opposed to its decision to close the Independent Living Fund (ILF). Esther McVey the Conservative minister for […]
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Concern over EHRC appointment delays
The government has refused to explain why it has still not appointed six new commissioners to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). The EHRC board is operating with only a skeleton number of commissioners, more than a month after it […]
DWP lies to cover its tracks on mobility cuts
The government is facing mounting outrage after planning to restrict eligibility for support for people with the highest mobility needs, without any warning or consultation – and then lying about what it had done. Anger has been growing following last week’s […]
MP provides prime minister with proof of the fatal impact of welfare cuts
An MP who confronted the prime minister with a suicide note written by a disabled man who killed himself after being found “fit for work” has warned that other such tragedies are likely. Ian Lavery, the Labour MP for Wansbeck in […]
Martinez brings star quality to fresh assault on coalition’s ‘war on welfare’
Activists are hoping that a new petition – backed by a campaigning disabled comedian – could finally force the government to assess the overall impact of its programme of cuts and reforms to disability benefits and services. The WOW (war on […]
ILF closure is ‘new nail in the coffin’ of independent living
The government has confirmed it is to close the Independent Living Fund (ILF) in April 2015, and has admitted the decision will have a “potential negative impact” on disabled people supported by the fund. Outraged campaigners say the move comes despite […]
Survivors say government’s £80m grant ‘is huge relief to thalidomiders’
Thalidomide survivors have welcomed a 10-year, £80 million government grant that will help fund the increasing support needs they face as they grow older. The grant will enable additional financial support for England’s 325 surviving “thalidomiders”, who have impairments caused by […]
London 2012 council bans disabled actors from performing Atos play
A council has been accused of “censorship” after banning disabled actors from performing a play that highlights the harm caused by the government’s much-criticised “fitness for work” contractor Atos Healthcare. The play was to be performed as part of a Christmas […]
Paralympic success breeds golden funding settlement
Britain’s Paralympians have been rewarded for their success at London 2012 with a huge leap in funding to take them through to the next Paralympic Games in Rio in four years’ time. UK Sport announced the 43 per cent increase in […]
IPC decision gives athletes a chance to repeat their London 2012 exploits in 2017
Britain’s track and field Paralympians will have the chance to recreate this summer’s golden exploits, after the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) announced that London would host the 2017 IPC World Athletics Championships in the Olympic Stadium. The championships will be held […]