See Scope's open letter to the PM
July 16, 2020
UK disabilities charity Scope have written an open letter to the Prime Minister, calling on him not to forget disability equality in the Government's recovery plan, through the pandemic and beyond.
In the open letter, Scope write:
“Coronavirus has devastated people's lives, and amongst the hardest hit are the UK’s 14 million disabled people. Almost two thirds of people who have died because of Coronavirus were disabled. And now, with a looming recession and disabled people at the sharp end of poverty, we need the Government to take urgent action.”
Referencing the pandemic recovery plan in the UK, Scope add:
“Economic recovery is key, and disabled people must be included in this. The Government needs to safely support people back into work. The commitment to tackle the disability employment gap set out in the Conservative manifesto must be upheld. For those unable to work, the Government must guarantee a safety net which supports rather than punishes, without fear of ineffective sanctions.”
Scope are calling on the PM to work with them to factor disabled people’s needs into every plan going forward, and to prioritise the new National Disability Strategy so that it provides a clear plan to mitigate existing inequalities the pandemic has further magnified.
Visit Scope's campaign page if you wish to sign the open letter to the PM.
