House of Commons · General Debate
25 April 2023 · 8 other contributors
Opened by Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Rachael Maskell raised concerns about city centre security measures and access for disabled people in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
Key points
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
The centre of York is a special place valued by its community, but new security barriers have prevented disabled people from accessing their city. This debate addresses the infringement on human rights and dignity caused by these measures. The MP emphasises that protecting safety should not come at the cost of infringing upon disabled individuals' fundamental rights, advocating for holistic approaches to address both security risks and accessibility issues.
Rachael Maskell highlights how barriers preventing blue badge holders from accessing the city centre infringe upon disabled individuals' rights, emphasising that human rights and security are not mutually exclusive. She calls for a holistic approach to security measures, suggesting specific steps such as involving disabled people in planning processes, ensuring reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010, and providing Government funding and expertise to local authorities.
De Cordova supports Maskell's argument, stating that banning disabled people from accessing the centre of York constitutes direct discrimination and a breach of civil and human rights. She encourages City of York Council to reconsider its stance.
Shannon commends Maskell's dedication, agreeing that there is greater awareness needed regarding disability needs. He supports her actions and hopes for Government responsiveness towards the issue.
Sturdy acknowledges the social isolation caused by the policy and highlights discrimination against rural communities due to lack of public transport access, supporting Maskell's points about balancing security with accessibility.
Dixon praises Chester’s approach in accommodating disabled people while ensuring security and questions why York has not followed this example. She emphasises the sparing use of barriers by her council, activating them only three times.
Lord suggests that residents should make their views on this matter known during local elections, encouraging democratic engagement to influence policy changes.
The hon. Member for York Central highlighted issues such as the installation of bollards and removal of blue badge parking in York city centre, affecting tourists and residents. The speaker thanked other MPs who contributed to the debate and acknowledged the importance of striking a balance between tourism and accessibility concerns. He emphasised that the Government’s UK shared prosperity fund is providing £5 million for local projects in York, allowing local areas to decide on their own paths under devolution but within legal boundaries. The speaker also addressed blue badge parking as a lifeline for many disabled people, encouraging York City Council to carefully consider how to balance public needs and the rights of disabled residents.
The hon. Member questioned whether there is scope for the Government to intervene or instruct City of York Council to reverse a ban on blue badge parking that she believes violates the law and public sector equality duty.