Putting Disability Benefits on the Election agenda

Volunteers, campaigners and staff from Arthritis Research UK attended the National Disability Hustings this week hosted by a consortium of charities working to support people with disabilities.Over 150 disabled people gathered in Church House to hear from, and question, representatives from the political parties. The panel was made up of Penny Mordaunt, most recent Minister for Disabled People representing the Conservatives, Kate Green, former Shadow Minister for Disabled People for Labour, and Baroness Brinton, a Liberal Democrat Peer and former health spokesperson. Baroness Brinton was also the first wheelchair user to head a major UK political party.We were happy to see arthritis being discussed, as it was raised both by the panel and the audience. Baroness Brinton who lives with rheumatoid arthritis, talked of her own personal experience and challenges of being a wheelchair user in the Houses of Parliament. Campaigner Catherine Manning said: "It was good to see politicians who are passionate about the disabled community and the challenges we face."Questions were themed around welfare, employment and social care. Maureen Grossmann, who lives with arthritis, asked the panel what each party would do to support the promotion of the Access to Work scheme, which supports disabled people to stay in employment. We estimates that the‘arthritis employment gap’ is considerable, with the employment rate among people with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions 20% lower ...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news