Two nurses who resigned from the government’s “fitness for work” contractor Atos Healthcare because it was “cut-throat” and “ruthless” have described how they were criticised by their managers for being “too nice”. They spoke out only days after the latest report […]
Benefits bill is miserable and mean-spirited, says disabled peer
A disabled peer has attacked a “mean-spirited” “miserable” and “dishonest” government bill that will see disabled people in 3.4 million households across Britain facing further cuts to their income. Lord [Colin] Low told fellow peers that the welfare benefits up-rating bill […]
Channel 4 wins chance to repeat London 2012 success at Rio and Sochi
Britain’s Paralympians have welcomed the news that Channel 4 has secured the UK television broadcast rights to both the Rio 2016 Paralympics and the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games. Channel 4 will broadcast 500 hours of coverage from Rio and more […]
Bus and train staff ‘should be disciplined’ if they fail on access
Transport staff who fail in their duty to provide an accessible service for their disabled passengers should face disciplinary action, a former Disability Rights Commission (DRC) director has told a parliamentary meeting. Will Bee who led the DRC’s work on transport […]
What makes an influential disabled person?
How do you measure influence? Now the process of collecting the names of the most influential disabled people in the UK is under way, it is time to begin fine-tuning exactly what we mean by influence and how we can measure […]
Roque Hall relief as appeal court says prison ordeal is over
A disabled man with high support needs has been told he will not have to continue a prison term he feared could kill him, and can return home instead. To the delight of his mother and other supporters, Daniel Roque Hall […]
‘Complacent’ DWP needs ‘major shake-up’ on work fitness tests
An influential committee of MPs has delivered a scathing account of the failure of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to challenge the poor performance of its “fitness for work” contractor Atos Healthcare. The public accounts committee says in its […]
Concern over progress on vital ‘shadow report’ on UN rights
The disabled people’s organisation (DPO) leading work on a vital report to the United Nations (UN) on disability rights in the UK has been forced to reassure concerned activists that the work will be finished on time. Activists had warned this […]
McVey set to face legal challenge over PIP changes that came ‘out of nowhere’
Disabled activists are planning legal action over the government’s decision to tighten eligibility for support for people with the highest mobility needs. Many disabled activists were shocked and angry when Esther McVey the Conservative minister for disabled people, announced the unexpected […]
SEN reforms in new bill ‘could lead to rise in segregated schooling’
The government’s new children and families bill could see many more disabled children being forced into segregated education, campaigners have warned. The bill, which was published and received its first Commons reading this week, covers a range of issues, including reform […]