Ministers Tom Pursglove and Maria Caulfield to face questions on the National Disability Strategy
The Women and Equalities Committee to quiz ministers and officials on the implementation and further development of the Government’s National Disability Strategy and the upcoming Disability Action Plan in the final session of its inquiry.
Meeting details
Tom Pursglove MP, Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, and Maria Caulfield MP, Minister for Mental Health and Women’s Health Strategy, will be among witnesses questioned on the Government’s policy plans to improve the lives of disabled people.
The Government’s strategy, launched in 2021, was declared unlawful by the High Court last year due to the Government’s failure to conduct a proper consultation process. While the Government appeals the ruling, 14 policies from the strategy have been put on hold.
Likely areas of questioning
The Committee will examine the impact of halting work on these policies, and press ministers for an update on the strategy’s progress. In evidence from Disability Rights UK, the Committee heard that 15 months of “energy and impetus” has been “wasted” and it is “taking its toll on disabled people.”
Issues the Committee will likely cover include:
- the Government’s current consultation on its new Disability Action Plan
- health inequalities, including autism diagnoses in women
- mandatory training for health and social care staff on learning disabilities and autism.
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