“We are pleased to note that as part of the Government’s Disability Action Plan Consultation, they will be reviewing the past and present forms of funding for disabled candidates, including reviewing the Access to Elected Office Fund. They will be exploring the potential for a long-term funding solution for disabled candidates, and candidates with long-term health conditions.
Financial barriers are a major factor in preventing many disabled people in pursuing elected office at various levels. The cost-of-living is on average higher each month for disabled people and the financial implications that come with campaigning as a candidate are often substantial. These can include paying for Personal Assistants, BSL Interpreters, transport, and a whole host of other costs.
Until March 2020, central Government funding was available to cover these costs for disabled candidates. We have been calling for this to be reinstated as one of our key asks for disabled women in politics. This was a key message that was taken away from our Spring roundtable ‘How can we break down the barriers to d/Deaf and Disabled women’s involvement in politics?’ We had speakers from five major political parties at our event, and it was attended by the Minister for Disabled People.
We are pleased to see that our campaigning has been effective and the Fund will now be reviewed in the Government’s National Disability Action Plan Consultation. We will be submitting our own response to the consultation. You can do so too by clicking here.”
Signatories:
Centenary Action
Elect Her
The Disability Policy Centre
Sarabjaya Kumar, Founder of the Disabled Women in Politics Network
Disability Rights UK
The Conservative Disability Group
Disability Labour