The death of a young woman who killed herself after being found “fit for work” is the latest proof of the catastrophic consequences of the government’s cuts to disability benefits and services, say campaigners. The mother of the young woman – […]
Archive
New political fund ‘could create legacy of disabled MPs’
Disabled people who want to overcome the barriers they face in seeking elected office will now be able to apply for financial support from a new £2.6 million government fund. The fund, open for applications until the end of March 2014, […]
Paralympians have taught me that ‘disabled’ is not a scary word, says sprinter Clegg
One of Britain’s hottest prospects for Paralympic gold on the athletics track has spoken of her hopes that London 2012 will lead to more opportunities for disabled people outside the sporting arena. Libby Clegg is hoping to repeat her success in […]
Politicians and DWP combine to block answers on Unum links
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the three main political parties are refusing to say how often ministers have met with an insurance company set to make huge financial gains from incapacity benefit reform. Disability News Service (DNS) submitted […]
EU ratification of UN convention is ‘major landmark’
Disabled campaigners say the European Union’s (EU) ratification of the UN disability convention will provide a huge boost to the lives of 80 million disabled people across its 27 member states. Two days before Christmas, the EU became the first regional […]
One in three anti-social behaviour victims are disabled, says report
Nearly a third of people who have contacted the police about anti-social behaviour are disabled people according to a major national report. The Stop the Rot report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) says anti-social behaviour (ASB) across England and […]
Family suffered years of abuse before car fire deaths
A mother killed herself and her disabled daughter after her family were the victims of years of disablist abuse and harassment, an inquest has heard. Fiona Pilkington drove to a layby in Leicestershire in October 2007 and set fire to her […]
Disability world mourns Baroness Chapman
The disability world is mourning the loss of one of its most respected campaigners, Baroness [Nicky] Chapman of Leeds. The crossbench life peer, who died on 3 September aged 48, had been a member of the Lords since 2004. Among her […]
Green paper funding proposals focus on older people
Campaigners have welcomed a government green paper on reforming the funding of adult social care despite key concerns about vital aspects of the proposals. The green paper offers three solutions for funding care and support through a new “National Care System”, […]
Peer fails in early bid to improve Right to Control
The disabled peer and activist Baroness [Jane] Campbell has failed in two initial attempts to strengthen a crucial part of the government’s welfare reform bill. Lady Campbell had put down two amendments relating to the bill’s Right to Control, which will […]