United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

She highlighted the UK's failure to adhere to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, noting that austerity measures have led to 'grave or systematic violations' against disabled people. She cited specific policies such as the bedroom tax and cuts to social care budgets that infringe upon disability rights. Abrahams also raised concerns about the government's response to recent cases where it was found to be unlawfully discriminating against disabled individuals, including a case regarding universal credit transitions. Additionally, she mentioned issues with accessibility at local stations and called for an independent inquiry into the impact of social security cuts on disabled people. Ms Abrahams intervened to express her best wishes to the Minister's father, highlighting his experience with disability. She asked whether the Government acknowledges a social model of disability, where society imposes barriers that prevent disabled people from living their lives fully.

Commends the hon. Member for Motherwell and Wishaw and her colleague for their campaigning on disability rights, highlighting the need to recognise disabled people as fully equal citizens. Criticises society's tendency to treat accessibility as an afterthought, pointing out everyday challenges faced by wheelchair users and those with invisible disabilities who fear judgement at work.

Jim Shannon highlighted the frustrations faced by people with disabilities in Northern Ireland, citing specific cases of constituents who have been treated unfairly or inadequately. He criticised the government for picking and choosing how to interpret legal obligations related to disability rights and women's discrimination. He called out the morally wrong decision made by the government regarding termination of pregnancies due to disabilities like Down's syndrome. Shannon shared two examples from his constituency, including a constituent needing hip replacements despite her mental impairment, and another facing difficulties with work due to ulcerative colitis. Emphasised the importance for employers to respect their employees and provide equal opportunities. He also shared a positive example of an individual with Down's syndrome securing a scaffolding apprenticeship.

Ms Oswald highlighted the importance of disability organisations, like East Renfrewshire Disability Action group, in advocating for disability rights. She emphasized that disabled people face significant inequalities exacerbated by the pandemic and noted that 50% of people with disabilities live in poverty in the UK. She expressed concern about the lack of bold action from the UK Government and called for more proactive steps to prevent further exclusion of disabled people from global aid. Asked the Minister about a previously mentioned employment Bill that would assist in providing better employment opportunities for disabled individuals.

Congratulates the hon. Member for obtaining this debate and suggests that the UK Government must lead by example in implementing the convention before preaching to others. Marsha de Cordova emphasised the importance of implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, highlighting the lack of progress over a decade despite repeated calls for action. She noted that cuts to social security and public services have exacerbated issues for disabled people, leading to human rights violations as recognised by the UN. De Cordova criticised the Government's failure to address challenges highlighted in previous UN updates and called for an independent public inquiry into deaths caused by benefit cuts. I echoed concerns about the failure to meet the 2020 target for an accessible transport service and highlighted that more than 4 million disabled people of working age want to work, despite only 35,000 employers being part of the Disability Confident scheme.

Mr Rodda highlighted the UK's pledge to follow the UN convention on the rights of persons with disabilities, which protects and promotes human rights for disabled people. He noted that 1 million more disabled people are trapped in hardship than a decade ago, with 3.8 million living in poverty. The pandemic has hit disabled people particularly hard, as many did not receive additional support despite facing £583 per month in additional costs. Mr Rodda criticised the national strategy for disabled people, which had two years of delay before being published and was under-resourced at just £4 million for 12.7 million disabled individuals.

Perkins agrees with Fellows that the Government cannot preach to others about what they have not done themselves, and he calls for a commitment from the FCDO to include disability in the eligibility criteria for applying for refugee status in the UK.