I believe that the Government must work harder to ensure that a disability is not an obstacle to living a full, independent life where people can reach their full potential.
Between Q1 2017 and Q1 2022, the number of disabled people in the UK in employment increased by 1.3 million. This means that the previous Government's goal to see a million more disabled people in employment between 2017 and 2027 has been met and exceeded five years ahead of schedule.
The current Government is directionless on welfare proving that by comparison they are not up to the task. Their actions, announcing poorly consulted policy followed by U-turns, has led to the worst of all worlds, frightening disabled people and at the same time failing to deal with the spiralling cost of welfare.
Honesty is an important guiding principle for any Government, and I know many people will feel let down by the lack of transparency shown by Labour Frontbenchers before the General Election on their plans to reform disability benefits even with their latest U-Turns, the Government has lost all trust with some of the most vulnerable in our communities.
I recognise the importance of this issue and I will push the Government to make sensible reforms to welfare that strengthen the independence of those who are in genuine need of support whilst making the welfare system more sustainable in the long-term.
