The government has finally admitted that large numbers of confidential medical questionnaires – submitted by disabled people as part of their benefit claims – are being opened by Royal Mail staff. Disabled activists first suggested early last month that ESA50 questionnaires […]
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IDS ‘panders’ to Daily Mail again, hours after promising to change his ways
A cabinet minister has been heavily criticised after again appearing to encourage national newspapers to run stories attacking disabled benefit claimants. Last week, work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith was criticised by the work and pensions committee for “pandering to […]
Peers debate key DLA reforms: Government to think again on qualifying period
The government has agreed to reconsider a key aspect of its disability living allowance (DLA) reforms, after disabled peers said the measure could cause serious financial hardship to people who have just become disabled. The government wants to increase from three […]
Peers debate key DLA reforms: Government rejects test pilot plea
A disabled peer has failed to persuade the government to postpone the re-assessment of existing disability living allowance (DLA) claimants until it has piloted the new testing regime. Baroness [Jane] Campbell called on the government to order a year-long trial of […]
Peers debate key DLA reforms: Cuts ‘will end support for hundreds of thousands’
Government plans to reform disability living allowance (DLA) and cut spending by 20 per cent will deny help to many disabled people least able to access alternative support a disabled peer has told the House of Lords. Dame [Tanni] Grey-Thompson called […]
Peers debate key DLA reforms: Government to look again at renaming DLA
The government has agreed to reconsider plans to completely change the name of a key disability benefit, after it heard the new name would be confusing, misleading and could add to hostility towards disabled people. The disabled peer Baroness [Jane] Campbell […]
‘Free’ special schools go-ahead is ‘disaster’, say campaigners
The decision by the government to give the go-ahead for the first three special schools to be set up under its “free schools” programme has caused anger and dismay among campaigners for inclusive education. Education secretary Michael Gove announced this week […]
Gemma Hayter murder: Case proves urgent need for research on hate crime motivation
The latest of a series of horrific murders of disabled people has shown the urgent need for research into what motivates the men and women who commit such hate crimes, campaigners believe. The call came after the publication of a serious […]
Gemma Hayter murder: Review highlights missed opportunities to offer protection
A new report has highlighted the missed opportunities and failures of local agencies in the lead-up to the “truly abhorrent” hate crime murder of a young disabled woman. The serious case review, published this week, concluded that there was “no evidence” […]
Government defeats high court challenge over legal aid cuts
A disabled people’s organisation has failed in its first attempt to challenge the government in the high court over its sweeping cuts to legal aid. Disability Law Service (DLS) was seeking a judicial review of the cuts proposed by justice secretary […]