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UK News

Government's disability target just 'soundbite for PR', Christian disability advisor says

by Eno Adeogun

Rev Zoe Heming, who is the enabling church advisor for the Lichfield Diocese and a wheelchair user, said there were a number of reasons she wasn't convinced by the government's target.

She told Premier: "It sounds like a really good soundbite for some PR.

"But it does feel like another one of those vague targets, which seems to be in the opposite direction of most of the action that the government has taken recently in terms of cuts to support services."

Theresa May said she's committed to tackling the injustices those who want to work face.

Plans include better mental health training for work coaches and expanding fit note certificates. Also, Ministers have said they'll work with employers to help people with health conditions remain and progress in their roles.

Diocese of Lichfield

Rev Heming outlined to Premier what the government needs to do if it really wants to help people with disabilities.

She explained: "Reversing some of the decisions that they have made, such as cuts to employment support allowances.

She also added: "Having a much shorter target, as 10 years is a very long time for a very vague number of one million."

The Government has also vowed to reform statutory sick pay in the wake of a major review of mental health and employers.

Mrs May said: "The path a person takes in life and in work should not be dictated by their disability or health condition.

"Everyone deserves the chance to find a job that's right for them.

"I am committed to tackling the injustices facing disabled people who want to work, so that everyone can go as far as their talents will take them."

Some 600,000 more disabled people are now in work compared to four years ago.

Rev Heming told Premier how government policy regarding disabilities had affected her and said: "I'm one of the people that made the transfer from disability living allowance to PIP (Personal Independence Payment) and I lost my mobility vehicle as a result of that.

 Philip Toscano/PA Wire

"There's lot of people who this government has made their life significantly harder in terms of getting into the workplace.

"This feels like another unachievable soundbite to try and change the government's image given that the UN classifies the UK government as having committed systematic violations of the rights of disabled people recently.

"There's no doubt that disabled people's lives under this government has got harder."

The 10-year plan builds on a green paper published last year which pledged to halve the so-called disability employment gap - the difference between the employment rates of disabled and non-disabled people - which last year stood at 32 percentage points.

The green paper also looked at reforms to work capability assessments, which people must go through to claim Employment and Support Allowance and have been dubbed "fit for work" tests.

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