Laura Sharman 03 September 2021

Disabled people 'failed' by key policy areas, think tank warns

Disabled people failed by key policy areas, think tank warns image

The pandemic has deepened inequalities in health, income and employment for disabled people, a think tank has warned today.

A new briefing from IPPR North highlights that disabled people faced 'systematic barriers' before COVID-19 that impacted on access to public services and job opportunities. It finds these were exacerbated by the pandemic, with health, work, welfare and education policies failing to support disabled people.

IPPR North calls for any review into the Government's handling of the pandemic to explore why disabled people were failed across these key policy areas.

The think tank also said COVID-19 had a disproportionate impact on disabled people in the North, which has the highest rate of disability of any region.

The report states: 'The pandemic should not be used as an excuse to write off the challenges faced by disabled people as a consequence of an unprecedented event. There is clear evidence that disabled people struggle to access public services, be supported in work and are unable to enjoy the same level of income as non-disabled people. These inequalities precede the pandemic and make us all poorer, whether disabled or not.

'If the UK government is serious about ‘levelling up’, it needs to provide fair access to opportunity for everyone. It is clear that this isn’t currently the case for disabled people.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Part Time Legal Caseworker - Corporate and Commercial Law

Essex County Council
£25081.00 - £27653.00 per annum + Pro Rata
Part Time Legal Caseworker - Corporate and Commercial LawPermanent, Full Time£25,081 to £27,653 per annum, full time equivalentLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Education Safeguarding Adviser

Essex County Council
£36375.0000 - £42794.0000 per annum
Education Safeguarding AdviserFixed Term, Full Time£36,375 to £42,794 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Enviro Crime and Enforcement Officer

Royal Borough of Greenwich
SO2 - £38,934 to £40,755
Make a real difference in your community Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

White Rose Forest Landscape for Water Project Officer

Kirklees Metropolitan Council
£38,220 - £40,777
The role of Landscapes for Water Project Officer and the White Rose Forest Kirklees, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Finance Manager

Durham County Council
£66,164 to £68,493 p.a. (Band 2)
Are you an experienced finance leader ready to take on a high-profile role at the heart of a major organisational and financial transformation?   Durh Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner