The UK and Welsh governments are failing to protect disabled people from discrimination and the situation is worsening due to the cost-of-living crisis, according to the equalities watchdog.
In 2016, the United Nations (UN) published a list of 11 recommendations for the governments to protect the rights of disabled people.
However, a new report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has found that despite ‘limited’ or ‘some’ progress in certain areas, there has been no progress in other areas.
Submitted today to the United Nations (UN), the report found there had been no progress when it came to assessing the cumulative impact of welfare reforms on people with disabilities since 2010.
The report also found there had been no progress on access to justice for disabled people because of cuts to legal aid, which means ‘disabled people continue to experience unequal access to justice.’
The Government has also not made any progress in establishing a mechanism to monitor its human rights obligations or the impact of policies and programmes on human rights, including on the rights of disabled people.
Kishwer Falkner, chairwoman of the EHRC, said: ‘Alongside other human rights and equality bodies in Britain and Northern Ireland, we urge the governments in London and Cardiff to address the problems faced by disabled people and take action to address the UN’s recommendations from 2016.
‘Disabled people must be treated with dignity, respect and fairness. The recommendations made years ago must be addressed if the lives of disabled people are to improve.’
A Government spokesperson said: ‘Last month we launched a consultation on our new Disability Action Plan, which is part of this Government’s commitment to create a society that works for everyone. Significant work is already being taken forward including reforming the health and disability benefits system, boosting disability benefits by 10.1%, investing £2bn to support sick and disabled people back into work, and helping the most vulnerable with record financial support worth around £3,300 per household.
‘We remain committed to making our society a more inclusive and accessible place for all disabled people.’
