A leading disabled people’s organisation has raised concerns over a minister’s pledge to introduce “clearer, simpler and tougher penalties” for benefits claimants who refuse government help to find work. Chris Grayling the employment minister told the Conservative conference in Birmingham that […]
Conservative conference: Concerns remain over benefits cap
Disabled people claiming disability living allowance (DLA) will be exempt from a new limit on the amount of benefits any “workless” household can claim, the government has announced. But those disabled people who claim employment and support allowance (ESA) – the […]
Conservative conference: ‘More detail needed’ on benefit reform
Campaigners have tentatively welcomed plans for sweeping reforms to the benefits system, but say they want to see more detail on its “humanity” before they “sign up”. Work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith told the Conservative conference in Birmingham this […]
Conservative conference: Miller pledges ‘important safeguards’
The minister for disabled people has promised that the coalition government will build in “important safeguards for vulnerable groups” to its programme of spending cuts and reforms. Maria Miller pointed to the decision of the chancellor, George Osborne, to exempt anyone […]
EHRC gives government new reminder on spending cuts fairness
The equality watchdog has given government departments and local authorities a fresh warning to put “fairness” towards disabled people at the heart of their decisions on cutting spending. The Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) warning came in a new guide […]
Choice and control ‘fault lines’ are ‘true measure of inequality’
Serious “fault lines” are emerging in society between how disabled and non-disabled people are able to enjoy choice and control in their lives, a major report by the equality watchdog will reveal next week. The report by the Equality and Human […]
Conservative conference: Public transport needs ‘change in mindset’
Changing people’s attitudes is more likely to produce improvements in accessible transport than new legislation, according to the minister for disabled people. Maria Miller told a fringe event at the Conservative conference in Birmingham that she believed legislation was “useful” but […]
Spending cuts protest sparks birth of new campaign
Activists who took part in a mass march against the government’s spending plans have called on other disabled people to join the fight against the cuts. The protest – whose disabled participants wore tee-shirts saying “Cuts Kill” – passed close to […]
Equality Act introduces new rights for disabled people
Major new laws to protect disabled people from discrimination come into force today (1 October), as part of the Equality Act. The act – introduced and steered through parliament by the last Labour government – brings together nine separate pieces of […]
Artist will stare “fitness for work” fears in the face with public exposure of her bed life
An award-winning disabled artist is to spend three days in bed in front of an audience, in an attempt to portray the contradictions of her impairment, and the government’s “miserable, terrifying, punishing” fitness for work assessment regime. The writer-director-activist Liz Crow […]