Business Disability Forum has responded to the announcement today (2 December) that t
he Government will be consulting on proposals to introduce a ‘Disability Action Plan’.
Angela Matthews, Head of Policy, Business Disability Forum, said:
“Improving the lives of disabled people must be a Government priority. A plan on disability is much needed, but we need more detail from the Government before we can know the impact that the proposals will have.
“The priority right now must be meeting the additional costs that disabled people are experiencing as a result of rising living costs combined with the extra costs of having a disability. Not having access to the right social care, health care, transport, and technology, means that disabled people are experiencing additional financial difficulties on top of the current cost of living crisis. Disabled people cannot wait until next year for additional funding. We need an announcement on this now.
“For people who are trying to find work or are struggling in work, Access to Work is causing additional barriers itself, and an outdated sick pay system is delaying recovery and causing people to fall out of work. We expect to see these issues covered in the plan. We also want to see plans for long-term social care reform and proposals to ensure that disabled people do not pick up the costs when they need adaptations to their rented accommodations. These are the issues we will expect to see explored in a consultation document, and we look forward to consulting with our Members, businesses, and disabled employees on the consultation next year.”
Ends
