Delays to the renewal of blue parking badges across the country – following government reforms – are a “national problem, scandal and injustice”, according to a retired Paralympian and campaigner. Steve Varden – now a musician and actor and chair of […]
Independent Living
Iain Duncan Smith facing ‘hypocrisy’ claims over inaccessible office
The architect of the government’s sweeping welfare reforms is facing accusations of hypocrisy, after becoming the third minister with responsibilities for disability equality to be shamed over an inaccessible constituency office. Work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith has been the […]
Protesters’ picture perfect response to Falconer’s bill
Disabled activists were outside the House of Lords today (Friday) for a highly personal protest about the latest attempts to legalise assisted suicide. As peers continued the committee stage of Lord Falconer’s assisted dying bill protesters from Not Dead Yet UK […]
Second minister shamed over inaccessible constituency office
A second government minister responsible for promoting equality has been accused of an “unacceptable” failure to run a constituency office that is accessible to disabled people. Last month, the Conservative minister for disabled people, Mark Harper, refused to answer a string […]
Harper’s fresh ‘hypocrisy’ over office access
The minister for disabled people is facing fresh accusations of hypocrisy after calling on disabled people to take part in a survey on access to sports stadiums despite refusing to answer questions about his own inaccessible constituency office. Mark Harper faced […]
Independent Living Fund: Minister’s ‘unbelievable’ failure to prove Commons boast
The minister for disabled people has been accused of an “unbelievable” and “very worrying” failure to prove his claim that disability organisations “agree with the government” on its policy to shut the Independent Living Fund (ILF). Mark Harper told MPs last […]
Independent Living Fund: ‘Target every MP before general election’
Disabled activists have been told to target every single candidate in May’s general election, to demand their backing for the campaign to save the Independent Living Fund (ILF). The call came as about 100 activists – many of them ILF-users – […]
Minister hides truth over office access
The disability minister has refused to say whether he has taken any measures to remove access barriers that could prevent disabled people visiting his constituency office. Disability News Service (DNS) revealed earlier this month that Mark Harper had been accused of […]
’Hypocrite’ Harper hides from questions over office access
The minister for disabled people has refused to answer a string of potentially embarrassing questions about his inaccessible constituency office. Last week, Disability News Service (DNS) revealed that Mark Harper had been accused of hypocrisy after he called for shops and […]
‘Hypocrite!’ Minister for disabled people sparks anger over inaccessible HQ
The minister for disabled people has been accused of hypocrisy after he called for shops and restaurants across the country to improve their access, even though his own high street constituency office is inaccessible to wheelchair-users. Mark Harper is Conservative MP […]