Rishi Sunak’s government has been branded as “appalling” by charities for scrapping its dedicated minister for disabled people and giving the “crucial” role to an existing minister.
Mims Davies – the current Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Social Mobility, Youth and Progression – has been given the title, adding to her already heavy workload.
Downing Street has defended the decision, but charity campaigners are furious about the move which has left the UK’s 16 million disabled people feeling “inadequate”.
Speaking to the Express, Ms Davies said: “It is an honour to take on this important role for disabled people, building on the work I’ve been doing in government to make sure no one is left behind or feels overlooked. It’s a passion and commitment I have and drives my public service.
“It’s something very close to my heart and it’s made me reflect on how, as someone who grew up with caring responsibilities, like many it took a while to realise we were doing this – as it’s just what you do when things happen. I do know how precious every life is and the very real struggles disabled people and their families go through.”
Ms Davies spoke about her dad’s brain injury, which she said, “came out of the blue” and changed her and her family’s lives “forever”.
Disability equality charity Scope, among others, criticised the Government’s decision to “downgrade” the role.
James Taylor, the charity’s Director of Strategy, said: “Disabled people have been waiting a week for an announcement on who will have responsibility for disability in government. And now we’re seeing a downgrading of the role.
“We’d urge the government to reinstate the dedicated Minister of State position, to reflect the need for the UK’s 16 million disabled people to be treated as a priority. We need full-time leadership of disability strategy in government, to make sure policy doesn’t leave disabled people disadvantaged.”
It comes after sources claimed this morning that the role was going to be abandoned entirely, sparking outrage from the disabled community and other MPs.
Vicky Foxcroft, Labour’s shadow disabilities minister, said the move was “shocking” before Ms Davies’ appointment was announced at 4 pm.
She said: “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.”
Tom Pursglove held the role of Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work until last week, when he was moved to the Home Office following Robert Jenrick’s resignation over the Safety of Rwanda bill.
After Jenrick’s departure, his immigration minister brief was split between Pursglove – taking on legal migration – and Michael Tomlinson – the newly minted minister for illegal migration.
The position was left vacant for seven days – the longest period without a disability minister in post for 30 years. Downing Street denied this was “downgrading” the disability role in favour of immigration.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said before the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) announced the news this afternoon: “It’s not right. We will have a minister for disabled people who will lead on that important work.”
Pressed on the lack of a minister focusing solely on people with disabilities, he said: “What you will continue to see is a government showing strong support for disabled people and for disabled issues.”
A petition, which has since amassed nearly 500 signatures in less than 24 hours, has since been created by a disabled and disgruntled Briton calling for the Government to ‘Reinstate the Disability Minister’s role’.
Simon Sansome wrote on Change.org: “I am one of millions of people in the UK who feel unrepresented by our Government today.
“The absence of a dedicated Disability Minister is a glaring omission, leaving us without an essential advocate within Government. This role is not just symbolic; it has practical implications for policy-making and ensuring that our needs are considered in all aspects of governance.”
The move comes during the UK’s disability history month, which runs from November 16 until December 16.
