John Pring

Matt Hancock speaking at a podium at the mental health summit

October 11, 2018 0

Government ‘blocked’ involvement of user-led groups in mental health summit

The government has been asked by campaigners from across the world why it blocked the “meaningful” involvement of user-led and survivor organisations in this week’s high-profile global mental health summit in London. Two open letters have criticised the way the Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit was organised, and the hypocrisy of it being hosted

Human Rights

Theresia Degener chair of the committee, sits, talking, behind a name plate saying T Degener

October 11, 2018 0

Watchdogs’ concern over government refusal to act on UN rights reports

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Four equality and human rights watchdogs have heavily criticised the government for its failure to address the serious concerns raised in a “damning” UN report on the rights of disabled people across the UK. A year on from the report by the UN’s committee on the rights of persons with disabilities (pictured), in which

Arts, Culture and Sport

David Dimbleby waving his hands and smirking

October 11, 2018 0

Anger after minister and BBC undermine ‘silent applause’ reasonable adjustment

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A disabled activist has lodged complaints with the government and the BBC after the broadcaster’s flagship current affairs programme Question Time mocked the idea of using “silent applause” to make political events more accessible for autistic people. BBC Question Time (BBCQT) panellists were asked if they agreed with steps taken by the University of

Benefits and Poverty

Mik Scarlet doing yoga in his wheelchair

October 11, 2018 0

DWP ignores concerns from disabled people who shun activity over benefit fraud fears

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The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has refused to offer a solution to disabled people who say they are fearful of taking more exercise in case they have their support cut or are branded benefit cheats. A new report by the disability sports organisation Activity Alliance found that four-fifths (83 per cent) of

Employment

October 11, 2018 0

British Council tries to dodge Equality Act, after signing up to Disability Confident

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The government-funded organisation responsible for promoting the UK’s culture and education abroad is asking an employment tribunal to allow it to dodge its duty – under the Equality Act – not to discriminate against disabled people. The British Council is attempting to argue that English teacher Emily Frisby is not entitled to protection under

Benefits and Poverty

Esther McVey speaking in the House of Commons

October 4, 2018 0

Tory conference: Charity’s silence on universal credit deaths, hours after minister announces £51m funding

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A charity has refused to criticise the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) over four deaths linked to universal credit, hours after a minister announced it would receive tens of millions of pounds to support claimants on the new benefit system. Work and pensions secretary Esther McVey (pictured) told the Conservative party conference on

Politics

Sarah Newton standing and talking, beside four men sitting down behind a table

October 4, 2018 0

Tory conference: Disability charities face questions over Conservative links

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Two disability charities are facing questions over their close links to the Conservative party, after they failed to challenge the minister for disabled people about government policies at a conference fringe event. Both Bipolar UK and the Epilepsy Society have close links with the party, Disability News Service has established. Bipolar UK’s chief executive

Activism and Campaigning

A woman sits on a couch and holds up her hands, beneath a tweet about the safe space

October 4, 2018 0

Labour activist ‘violated’ by journalist’s safe space tweet welcomes ban

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A disabled activist who was left “humiliated and violated” by the actions of a high-profile journalist who mocked a “safe space” used by disabled people at last week’s Labour conference has praised the decision to ban her from next year’s event. TalkRADIO presenter Julia Hartley-Brewer has been told by the Labour party that she

Politics

Sarah Newton standing and speaking, alongside four men sitting down, with words behind her on the screen about listening to disabled people

October 4, 2018 0

Tory conference: Newton ‘breaches ministerial code’ while dodging questions

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The minister for disabled people appears to have breached the ministerial code of conduct, after refusing to answer questions at her party’s annual conference and suggesting that civil servants could answer them for her instead. Sarah Newton’s office had failed to respond to emails requesting an interview sent in advance of the conference by

Arts, Culture and Sport

A smiling man in a flat cap holding a harmonica

October 4, 2018 0

Harmonica charity confesses to 16 years of discrimination

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A disabled musician is threatening legal action after he was told by a charity organising its annual international harmonica festival that he would have to be carried in his wheelchair up and down a flight of stairs if he wanted to attend. The National Harmonica League (NHL) is set to hold its International Festival

Author John Pring