Rishi Sunak has axed a ministerial position devoted solely to incapacity points – regardless of creating two separate posts for immigration.
In a transfer frightening fury from charities, Downing Street stated the tasks for the vacant publish will now be stuffed by an current member of the Government. A spokesman for the PM stated: “It will be an existing minister taking on the brief.”
The transfer throughout Disability History Month has led to anger amongst charities, with director of technique at Scope James Taylor saying: “This is an appalling and retrograde transfer by the Government. What type of message does this give to Britain’s 16 million disabled folks? That – in the midst of a cost-of-living disaster – we are actually much less vital?
“Life costs more if you are disabled. There hasn’t been a cost of living payment for disabled people this winter. And negative welfare rhetoric has ramped up this year.”
Head of policy at Disability Rights UK Fazilet Hadi described the move as a “slap in the face” for the country’s 14million disabled people. She added: “This is absolutely not the time to take Government energy and focus away from Disabled people.
“We experience some of the deepest poverty, many can’t make ends meet, services that support us have been slashed and disability benefits are insufficient to keep up with our additional costs. We would ask the Prime Minister to urgently reconsider and to move quickly to replace the former Minister.”
Last week Mr Sunak was pressured right into a mini-reshuffle following the shock resignation of Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick over the failing Rwanda scheme. The PM divided the position into two, appointing Michael Tomlinson as unlawful migration minister and Tom Pursglove to authorized migration minister.
Mr Pursglove beforehand held the position of minister for disabled folks – however no alternative for the temporary was introduced.
On Thursday No10 denied the transfer to make two ministers answerable for migration however nobody solely for disabilities amounted to “downgrading” the position. The PM’s spokesman stated: “It’s not right. We will have a minister for disabled people who will lead on that important work.”
They added: “What you will continue to see is a Government showing strong support for disabled people and for disabled issues. “But Labour’s Shadow Minister for Disabled People Vicky Foxcroft stated: “After 13 years of Tory austerity, pandemic and cost of living crisis, disabled people feel their voices aren’t being heard and represented in Government. This confirms it.”
Liberal Democrat MP Christine Jardine stated: “Once again, we are seeing vulnerable people sidelined by this cruel and incompetent Conservative Government. We need a dedicated minister to ensure that people with disabilities get the support they deserve. Downgrading this role just isn’t good enough.”