Joint statement from Disability Rights UK and Centenary Action on the Government’s Disability Action Plan, Feb 2024.
Despite recognising the disproportionate barriers that disabled candidates face, the Disability Action Plan has not committed to re-instating the Access to Elected Office fund. Whilst we welcome the Government’s commitment to work with Disabled people to design a funding scheme in 2025, this is too late – failing to support disabled candidates aiming to run in this General Election & leaving the guarantee of a future scheme unclear.
We know that funding is necessary to enable Disabled people to contest elections on a level playing field and previous schemes have been shown to be effective. A temporary fund could be established to support candidates now whilst the longer term solution is finalised. Disabled people are the largest minority group – making up 22% of the population – it’s time that we’re represented in parliament.