Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: Disabled People

Wednesday 24 March 2021 · 2 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government introduced a more blended Access to Work offer to support disabled people in finding and staying in work.
  • Disabled people are more than three times more likely to die from covid than non-disabled people according to ONS data.
  • Government is committed to supporting disabled people affected by the covid-19 outbreak.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Debbie Abrahams Lab Oldham East and Saddleworth
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Disabled individuals face significant challenges due to the pandemic, with data showing that they are disproportionately affected by severe outcomes from contracting COVID-19.

Question

What steps the Government are taking to help protect disabled people from the effects of the covid-19 outbreak?

Answer from Mims Davies

The Government are committed to supporting disabled people affected by the covid-19 outbreak. As part of Access to Work, we have introduced a more blended offer to help disabled people find and stay in work, including prioritising applications from disabled people in the clinically extremely vulnerable group.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific assessment requested about working-age disabled social security claimants was not addressed directly.

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

Recent data shows that disabled people, particularly those on social security claims, have a higher risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19. There is concern over the government's assessment and measures to protect this vulnerable group.

Question

The UK's high and unequal covid death toll includes disabled people, who account for six out of 10 covid deaths. Last month's Office for National Statistics data showed that both disabled men and women are more than three times more likely to die if they contract covid than non-disabled people. Even when we adjust for various factors including age or pre-existing health conditions, there is still an additional covid risk associated with disability. So I repeat my question from last June: what assessment have the Government undertaken of the covid deaths of working-age disabled social security claimants? Given their additional risk, what are the Government doing to protect them?

Answer from Mims Davies

I know that the hon. Lady is very passionate about making sure that anybody with barriers, anybody impacted on by this pandemic, is absolutely supported, and that is something that we have been doing at DWP. Through our Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, we are listening to and engaging with charities and hearing from those people who are working, those with learning disabilities, autistic people, and people with complex needs. Of course, this is an incredibly worrying time for people with disabilities. The Minister is looking at this very carefully and will keep it under review.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific assessment requested about working-age disabled social security claimants was not addressed directly.

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