Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Disability Action Plan

Wednesday 13 December 2023 · 3 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

  • The disability action plan's 12-week consultation closed on 6 October 2023.
  • Officials are working closely with other Government Departments to consider consultation responses.
  • The Minister committed to addressing key issues including education, employment, and care for disabled people.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Philip Hollobone Con
Benefits & Welfare Standards & Ethics
Context

The consultation for the disability action plan closed on October 6, and there is concern about its effectiveness.

Question

What discussions have you had with Cabinet colleagues on the effectiveness of the disability action plan?

Answer from Mims Davies

The disability action plan's accessible 12-week consultation closed on 6 October. Since then, officials have been carefully considering all the consultation responses and working closely with other Government Departments. We have led discussions with the cross-Government ministerial disability champions before we publish the final disability action plan.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details on internal evaluations and discussions about the effectiveness of the disability action plan were not provided.

How: We Have Led Discussions With The Cross-Government Ministerial Disability Champions Before We Publish The Final Disability Action Plan.

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Q2 Philip Hollobone Con
Education Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

14 million people live with disabilities in the UK. They are less likely to have jobs, qualifications, or own homes and their children are more likely to be victims of crime.

Question

Some 14 million people live with a disability. They are statistically less likely to have a job or any qualifications or to own their own home, and sadly, their children are twice as likely to become victims of crime. Will the Minister ensure that the disability action plan addresses all those issues?

Answer from Mims Davies

I thank my hon. Friend for his typical care in this area. I assure him and the House that significant work is taking place across Government in those areas where disabled people have told us that their outcomes must be a priority, whether that is in education, employment or care. We are focused on that, and the disability action plan will complement that work. We are using the insight from the 12-week consultation to deliver improvements in all the areas that matter most to disabled people, in order to improve their daily lives.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitments on addressing joblessness, qualifications, home ownership and child safety issues for disabled individuals were not made.

How: We Are Focused On That, We Are Using The Insight From The 12-Week Consultation To Deliver Improvements In All The Areas That Matter Most To Disabled People

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Q3 Chris Bryant Lab Rhondda and Ogmore
NHS
Context

Approximately 1.4 million people in the UK are living with a brain injury, requiring specific support.

Question

Some 1.4 million people in the UK are living with a brain injury. Will the Minister make sure that the final version of the plan lays out precisely what the Government intend to do in relation to people who have had a brain injury? The good news is that with really good neurorehabilitation, people can be given back not just their life, but a real quality of life. We owe that to them, don't we?

Answer from Mims Davies

I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising that issue. My father lived with a brain injury for over 25 years, and my annual Christmas card this year comes from Headway Sussex through its art therapy work, so I assure him that at the DWP, I think about the impacts of brain injury on a daily basis.

Not addressed: No commitment or specific plans for addressing brain injuries were provided.

How: I Thank The Hon. Gentleman For Raising That Issue., My Father Lived With A Brain Injury For Over 25 Years, My Annual Christmas Card This Year Comes From Headway Sussex Through Its Art Therapy Work

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