The leaders of the three main political parties have signaled that they are prepared to take action to make it easier for disabled people to become MPs. Prime minister Gordon Brown, Conservative leader David Cameron and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg […]
Recession hits jobs, but evidence still unclear on disabled people
Job opportunities for disabled people appear to have decreased over the last year because of the recession, according to a new survey. The survey of social services departments in 54 English local authorities found that 29 of them said there was […]
Government move holds out hope on extradition for disabled hacker
The government has given the first sign that it could reconsider its decision to extradite disabled computer hacker Gary McKinnon to the United States. McKinnon, who has Asperger’s syndrome, has been refused permission to appeal to Britain’s new supreme court. But […]
Government signals improvements to training bill
The government has pledged to make key improvements to its training and education bill, to make it easier for disabled students to join a basic apprenticeship scheme. The promise came as discussion of the apprenticeships skills, children and learning bill resumed […]
Concerns over first government work test figures
The first official figures showing how the government’s work capability assessment (WCA) is working have revealed only a small proportion of those applying for out-of-work disability benefits are “passing” the strict new test. Of about 175 000 people whose claims were […]
MPs call for improved autism services
Many adults with autism are being left to “fend for themselves” because of a lack of appropriate services, according to a report by a group of MPs. The report by the Commons public accounts committee, Supporting People with Autism through Adulthood, […]
British man with bipolar disorder faces execution in China
Campaigners are desperately attempting to save a British man with bipolar disorder from execution in China. Akmal Shaikh was arrested in 2007 at an airport in northwest China and allegedly found to be carrying four kilogrammes of heroin. His final appeal […]
Jobs and benefits system ‘condemns people with autism to poverty’
A deeply flawed employment and benefits system is condemning tens of thousands of adults with autism to financial hardship, according to a new report. A third of adults with autism are surviving with no job and no benefits says the National […]
Government adviser ‘wary’ of legal right to independent living
A senior government adviser has dismissed calls for rights-based laws that would give disabled people a nationally-guaranteed entitlement to independent living support. Dr Steve Feast, a senior health and wellbeing adviser in the Department of Health, said he would be “very […]
Minister avoids answering questions on threat to DLA
Care services minister Phil Hope has refused to say which disability benefits the government is considering scrapping and “integrating” into local authority social services budgets. The refusal came as he responded to a series of questions put to him about the […]