The Welsh Assembly Government’s (WAG) introduction of a new £50 weekly cap on charges for non-residential care services is a “significant step forward” in the fight to abolish all such charges, say campaigners. In a third of Welsh council areas, disabled […]
Budget’s Equality Act decision ‘is further setback on rights’
The government’s decision not to go ahead with key new anti-discrimination laws is another serious attack on disability rights say campaigners. The chancellor, George Osborne, announced in his budget speech that the government would not be introducing the “costly” dual discrimination […]
Government ‘must act’ on disability benefits reforms
The government must make major changes across three key areas of its disability benefits reforms, campaigners say in a new report. The report by the Disability Benefits Consortium questions crucial aspects of the new employment and support allowance (ESA) reforms to […]
Government sparks anger after weakening Equality Act duties
A shock government move to weaken the rules on how public bodies must promote equality will make it harder for disabled people to challenge their policies and decisions, say campaigners. In a new “policy review paper”, the government says it wants […]
Government’s new attack on equality watchdog
The government has published “radical” plans to reduce the duties and responsibilities of the equality watchdog. In its latest attack on the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), the government said its performance had been “weak” and it had struggled to […]
Disabled campaigners tell MPs of serious concerns over welfare reforms
Three leading disabled campaigners have told MPs examining the government’s new welfare reform bill of their serious concerns about the impact of the proposed legislation on disabled people’s lives. Mike Adams, chief executive of Essex Coalition of Disabled People, Sue Bott, […]
Teather faces fierce criticism over SEN reforms
Government plans for reforming the special educational needs (SEN) system will give more power to professionals and could lead to a “huge mushrooming” in the number of special schools, a minister has been told. Sarah Teather, the Liberal Democrat children’s minister, […]
The death of David Askew: Hate crime ordeal lasted 40 years
A disabled man’s hate crime ordeal, which lasted nearly 40 years, has been laid bare by a report into the circumstances that led to his death. The serious case review was set up by Tameside Adult Safeguarding Partnership (TASP) following the […]
The death of David Askew: Police force’s ‘total failure’ on hate crime
A police force that failed to treat a disabled man’s “years of torment” at the hands of local youths as disability hate crime has been heavily criticised by the police watchdog and hate crime campaigners. David Askew, who had learning difficulties, […]
Court cases expose hate crime problems in justice system
Two court cases involving prolonged, violent attacks on disabled people have again exposed problems within the criminal justice system over its treatment of disability hate crime. In one case, a judge refused to treat a case in which four people subjected […]