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Covronavirus, Disability and Access to Services
15 April 2021
Lead MP
Caroline Nokes
Romsey and Southampton North
Con
Responding Minister
Justin Tomlinson
Tags
NHSSocial CareEmploymentMental HealthChildren & FamiliesLocal Government
Word Count: 12799
Other Contributors: 9
At a Glance
Caroline Nokes raised concerns about covronavirus, disability and access to services in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The MP called on the Government to remove unused provisions in the Coronavirus Act, commit to an independent inquiry into the causes of unequal impacts on disabled people, and ensure that accessible communication methods are implemented, such as BSL interpretation at televised briefings. She also urged for quicker publication of reviews related to SEND and social care.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The MP highlighted the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on disabled individuals, including tragically high death rates for those with disabilities. She also mentioned issues such as unused provisions in the Coronavirus Act that relaxed requirements under the Mental Health Act, the removal of Care Act 2014 easements, and a lack of clear and accessible information for disabled people during the crisis. Concerns were raised about the retention of emergency powers affecting young disabled individuals and the need for better consultation practices with disability charities.
Erith and Thamesmead
Ms Oppong-Asare welcomed the Committee's approach to looking at the effects of the pandemic on people with protected characteristics. She highlighted that disabled people in her constituency struggled to access food, mobility support, and faced disproportionate impacts on employment due to the pandemic. She urged the Government to ensure proper support for disabled people in future emergencies and called for increased funding for health and care services tailored towards them.
Angela Crawley
Lab
Wolverhampton South West
The UK Government must ensure that its messaging on the pandemic and other communications are accessible to disabled people through BSL interpreters and in various formats. She highlighted issues of food insecurity faced by disabled individuals during the pandemic, including struggles to access online shopping and delivery slots due to website and telephone line inaccessibility for those with sensory impairments. The report recommends training for officials on psychologically informed communication regarding public health messages for disabled people.
Warrington North
Thanked the Women and Equalities Committee for their work on a report highlighting issues faced by disabled people during the pandemic. Raised concerns over high death rates among disabled individuals, difficulties accessing food due to government definitions of vulnerability, and lack of proper assessments for 'do not resuscitate' orders for those with learning disabilities. Called for an adoption of a social model of disability recognising societal barriers, better funding and reform in adult social care, improvements in support for children with special educational needs, and the issuance of a statutory code of practice on public sector equality duties.
Kate Osborne
Lab
Jarrow and Gateshead East
Ms Osborne highlighted the lack of a BSL interpreter during Government televised briefings, emphasising that this issue is symptomatic of wider problems faced by disabled people. She mentioned unequal access to food, discriminatory practices in health and social care services, and worsened systemic issues in education for children with special educational needs. Ms Osborne urged an independent inquiry into how government policy led to disproportionate impacts on disabled individuals during the pandemic. She questioned the government's response to recommendations regarding the inclusion of food access in emergency situations within a national strategy for disabled people, and the rejection of proposals for a code of practice in health and social care.
Kim Johnson
Lab
Liverpool Riverside
Kim Johnson criticised the Government for its approach to social care and support for disabled people during the pandemic, noting significant inequalities in health, housing, employment, and income. She detailed shocking stories of inaccessible healthcare faced by people with learning disabilities and questioned the fairness of placing the burden of social care on those least able to pay.
Kirsten Oswald
SNP
East Renfrewshire
Ms. Oswald highlighted the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on disabled people, noting that nearly half of those in poverty are either disabled or live with someone who is. She cited statistics showing 82% of disabled claimants spent more money during the pandemic and two-thirds had to go without essential items. She criticized the Government's response as insufficient and called for a permanent £20 uplift to universal credit and an extension to legacy benefits.
Marion Fellows
SNP
West Renfrewshire
Marion Fellows highlighted the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus pandemic on disabled individuals, citing reports that nearly half of those in poverty are disabled or live with someone who is. She noted issues such as delayed employment and support allowance assessments leading to financial hardship for claimants. The SNP called for extending the £20 universal credit uplift to legacy benefits like ESA but was met with refusal by the Government.
Tulip Siddiq
Lab
Hampstead and Highgate
Ms Siddiq highlighted systemic issues in the SEND system exacerbated by the pandemic, citing a lack of BSL interpreters and accessible communication formats at the start of the crisis. She also raised concerns over 'do not attempt resuscitation' notices being issued without consent for disabled individuals during both waves of coronavirus.
Wera Hobhouse
Lib Dem
Bath
Grateful for the debate on disability and access to services, Wera Hobhouse highlighted issues faced by disabled people during the pandemic, including difficulties in accessing food, confusion over guidance, and isolation. She mentioned a constituent who was born with a rare breathing problem but did not receive a food parcel until mid-June despite registering as extremely vulnerable. The MP also pointed out that disability employment advisors have fallen by 32% during the pandemic.
Government Response
Justin Tomlinson
Government Response
The Government have taken steps to support disabled people during the pandemic, including rolling out a vaccination programme that now offers vaccines to those aged over 45, on the learning disability register, clinically extremely vulnerable individuals, and health and social care staff. The Minister highlighted the connection of key stakeholders with lived experiences to relevant Ministers and Departments for swift policy development. Over £6 billion has been made available through various measures such as £546 million for adult social care winter plans and £4.6 billion to local authorities for addressing pressures on services, including adult social care. The Government also announced a significant funding increase for mental health recovery, with £31 million allocated specifically for learning disability and autism services. Additionally, £40.8 million was provided for the Family Fund in 2020-21, supporting more than 90,000 low-income families raising children who are disabled or seriously ill. The Minister reiterated his commitment to a record level of disability employment and emphasized the Government's plans to publish proposals for consultation on the special educational needs and disabilities review within months. Cross-Government work has been prioritized with ministerial disability champions in every Department, ensuring inclusive support for disabled individuals.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.