Miliband pressured to discipline Commons ‘bullies’
By politics.co.uk staff Charities are adding to calls for Labour leader Ed Miliband to take steps against MPs who allegedly mocked a disabled MP. Paul Maynard, an MP with cerebral palsy, claimed at the weekend he had been put off while giving a speech in the Commons by Labour MPs pulling faces at him. “Only […]
Equality law ‘baffling tribunals’
By Alex Stevenson Employment discrimination cases face confusion over the next two months as tribunals struggle to interpret the Equality Act coming into force today, lawyers have warned. Guidance on how the previous nine pieces of equality legislation will be replaced with the unified rules under the Equality Act was only released ten days ago. […]
Calls for online voting to end discrimination against disabled
By Tobias Benedetto A charity is urging the government to introduce online voting after disabled people experienced difficulties casting their ballot at the recent general election. Disability charity Scope described reform of the voting system as “critical” to ensure disabled people are able to exercise their electoral rights. Ruth Scott, Scope’s policy and campaigns director […]
Late treaty ratification ‘lets down disabled’
By politics.co.uk staff The government has been slapped on the wrists for failing to raitify the United Nations’ Convention on Disability Rights. The international treaty, which aims to guarantee equal treatment to the disabled in all walks of life, should have been ratified by the end of 2008. But its approval has been held up […]
Straw hits back at ‘fashionable’ liberal critics
The justice secretary has hit back at claims Labour has undermined liberty, pointing to the government’s record for passing legislation that forwards human rights and openness. Writing in the Guardian the day after the home affairs select committee tore into Jacqui Smith’s plans to extend the period for pre-charge detention, Jack Straw insisted Labour had […]
UK at forefront of disability rights
The UK is set to become on of the first countries to commit to promoting the human rights of people with disabilities. The government will today sign up to the United Nations Convention on Disability Rights, guaranteeing disabled people the right to education, employment and participation in political and public life. The convention is a […]
Ukip rebut sleaze and discrimination claims
The UK Independence Party (Ukip) today suspended one of their MEPs while defending itself against claims of discrimination among the grass roots. Tom Wise, one the party’s 10 MEPs, has been suspended from the Ukip group in the European Parliament over an investigation into alleged financial irregularities. The European Anti Fraud Office is now investigating […]
Cameron promises disability benefit shake-up
David Cameron has today promised to shake up the benefits system to make it easier for disabled people to get help and find work. The Conservative leader said the series of benefits available to disabled people, including the disability living allowance, the wheelchair service, and the severe disability premium, should be scrapped in favour of […]
Disability discrimination law extended
People suffering from cancer, multiple sclerosis and HIV will be legally protected from discrimination under a new law that comes into effect today. Previously, they were only covered by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) if their condition had a long-term adverse affect on their ability to carry out day-to-day duties. However, amendments to the […]
Government office for disabled people launched
People with disabilities will now have a stronger voice in policy-making following the announcement of a new cross-government office. Launched today, the Office for Disability Issues (ODI) hopes to improve partnerships across government departments with regard to policies that affect disabled people. Announcing the news, Tony Blair said: “Today’s launch shows that we are making […]
