Thank you for contacting me about the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on people with disabilities and for bringing Scope’s Emergency Policy Briefing to my attention.
I am concerned to hear that people with disabilities feel forgotten during this crisis. As well as addressing this, we must ensure rights are not eroded and also look for opportunities to change things for the better for good.
The Government acted quickly at the peak of the crisis to suspend all face-to-face assessments for health and disability-related benefits while also extending award periods, giving people peace of mind that their benefit payments would continue. I am encouraged that Ministers are protecting the health of individuals claiming these benefits, many of whom are likely to be at greater risk of severe Covid symptoms due to their pre-existing health conditions.
It is of course welcome that those who are living with a disability and are Clinically Extremely Vulnerable can access the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS). The Government’s support package during the pandemic sits alongside a substantial set of welfare support for individuals with disabilities. The Government will spend over £55 billion in 2020/21 on benefits to support disabled people and people with health conditions.
The National Strategy for Disabled people is a key opportunity to enact changes that really makes a difference to people with disabilities. There is exciting work underway between my colleagues in Government, disability charities and businesses to produce practical measures that will transform the daily lives of people with disabilities and ensure they can fully participate in society. The strategy will be ambitious and will support people with disabilities in all aspects and phases of life.
The National Strategy for Disabled People will put fairness at the heart of Government, levelling up opportunities for people with disabilities. Importantly, while it will build on evidence and data, it will also be based on insights from people’s daily experiences. The strategy will include existing commitments, like the increase in special educational needs and disability funding and careers advice, as well as identifying areas where further improvement is required.
There are also opportunities for positive change. The way many of us work has, for example, changed. Normalising working from home and other adjustments is one way we can emerge from this into a world which better embraces people with disabilities.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
