Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Disabled People: Covid-19

Wednesday 23 September 2020 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Debbie Abrahams raised concerns about the high percentage of disabled people among COVID-19 deaths and the exclusion of many from official shielding programs.
  • The Government stated that shielding has ended but continues to be reviewed, and employers must comply with the Equality Act 2010.
  • Caroline Nokes inquired about the status of SignHealth's grant application for BSL translation services for those affected by COVID-19.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Debbie Abrahams Lab Oldham East and Saddleworth
NHS Women & Equalities
Context

Between March and July, disabled people accounted for nearly 60% of all COVID-19 deaths. A survey in Greater Manchester revealed that eight out of ten disabled individuals with significant support needs were not included in the official Government shielding group despite their high risk.

Question

Disabled people, including those with health conditions or impairments, made up almost 60% of all COVID-19 deaths from March to July. A survey in Greater Manchester showed that eight out of ten disabled individuals with significant support needs were not included in the official Government shielding group despite their high risk. With a second wave approaching, what is the Secretary of State doing to ensure that all clinically vulnerable people are shielded and properly supported?

Answer from Justin Tomlinson

The Government raise challenges related to shielding identified by stakeholders with relevant Ministers through the Disability Unit. Shielding has ended but continues to be reviewed. People should feel safe and employers must act according to the Equality Act 2010, while guidance is being published for those coming out of shielding.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions to ensure all clinically vulnerable individuals are shielded during a second wave were not detailed.

How: Kept Under Review, Working With Relevant Departments

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Q2 Debbie Abrahams Lab Oldham East and Saddleworth
NHS Women & Equalities
Context

Disabled people, including those with health conditions or impairments, accounted for nearly 60% of all COVID-19 deaths from March to July. A survey in Greater Manchester revealed that eight out of ten disabled individuals with significant support needs were not included in the official Government shielding group despite their high risk.

Question

Disabled people, including those with health conditions or impairments, made up almost 60% of all COVID-19 deaths from March to July. A survey in Greater Manchester showed that eight out of ten disabled individuals with significant support needs were not included in the official Government shielding group despite their high risk. With a second wave approaching, what is the Secretary of State doing to ensure that all clinically vulnerable people are shielded and properly supported?

Answer from Justin Tomlinson

The Government raise challenges related to shielding identified by stakeholders with relevant Ministers through the Disability Unit. Shielding has ended but continues to be reviewed. People should feel safe and employers must act according to the Equality Act 2010, while guidance is being published for those coming out of shielding.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions to ensure all clinically vulnerable individuals are shielded during a second wave were not detailed.

How: Kept Under Review, Working With Relevant Departments

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Q3 Caroline Nokes Con Romsey and Southampton North
NHS Women & Equalities
Context

The charity SignHealth provides free British Sign Language translations for people who need them in health settings during the pandemic. However, their grant application to the Department of Health and Social Care has not been awarded.

Question

SignHealth has been providing free BSL translation services for those affected by COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic but its grant application to DHSC remains unawarded. Will my hon. Friend use his best efforts with colleagues at DHSC to resolve this issue and ensure that deaf people have equal access to information?

Answer from Justin Tomlinson

Through my right hon. Friend's work as Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee, there is no stronger advocate for accessible communications. Stakeholders raise this issue frequently, and we remind all Departments of its importance through the Disability Unit. SignHealth's service sounds wonderful, and I will encourage the relevant Minister to respond personally and quickly.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment regarding grant application decision was not provided.

How: Advocating With Colleagues, Reminding Departments Of Importance

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Q4 Anne McLaughlin SNP
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Many disabled people are waiting to prove their eligibility for social security payments through face-to-face assessments, which are currently on hold due to the pandemic.

Question

Before a second wave of the virus begins, will you represent the needs of those who must complete paper-based work capability assessments to secure benefits? Will you join me in calling for paper-based assessments to be made available universally?

Answer from Justin Tomlinson

Face-to-face assessments have been suspended, but we use paper-based reviews when possible. Telephone assessments will be introduced for Work Capability Assessments similarly to how they were implemented for Personal Independence Payments. The Green Paper aims to explore better ways to reform the assessment process and increase the likelihood of conducting paper-based reviews where feasible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timelines or immediate action for paper-based assessments were not committed to.

How: Planning Improvements, Introducing Telephone Assessments

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