Labour have published ‘Nothing About You, Without You: A Manifesto With And For Disabled People’ which sets out their plan for the support of disabled people.
The 28 page document is signed by Jeremy Corbyn, Debbie Abrahams and Marie Rimmer.
Amongst other things, the document says that Labour will:
- repeal cuts in social security support to disabled people through a new Social Security Bill published in our first year of office;
- reverse the cruel cuts to Personal Independence Payments, Employment Support Allowance Work-Related Activity Group and Universal Credit Limited Capability to Work and we will repeal the hideous Bedroom Tax which has punished so many disabled and non-disabled people. The Conservatives’ punitive sanctions will go too;
- increase Carer’s Allowance to £73 a week, an increase of 16%, in recognition of Britain’s dedicated, unpaid carers.
- scrap the Work Capability and Personal Independence Payment assessments and replace them with a personalised, holistic assessment process which provides each individual with a tailored plan, building on their strengths and addressing barriers, whether finance, skills, health, care, transport, or housing related;
- change the culture of the social security system, from one that demonises sick and disabled people to one that is supportive and enabling. As a starting point we will scrap the Conservatives’ punitive sanctions regime and change how Job Centre Plus staff are performance managed;
- halve the disability employment gap by supporting employers retain employees who may have developed a long-term health condition or an impairment. Job Centre Plus will have a new duty to work with local authorities and local employers on recruitment needs and practices. Employees with an impairment or chronic condition will have a new right to flexible working:
- address the disability education gap, which stops disabled children fulfilling their potential, replacing the flawed Education, Health and Care Plan assessment, which has been used to restrict access to support:
- ensure the social care system is fully funded by investing £8 billion in the next parliament, and laying the foundations for a National Care Service.
You can download a copy of ‘Nothing About You, Without You: A Manifesto With And For Disabled People’.
You can also read the BBC’s General Election 2017: What are the parties promising disabled people?
