Source · Select Committees · Work and Pensions Committee
Recommendation 37
37
Paragraph: 180
It is encouraging to hear that the Department is beginning to take steps to rebuild...
Conclusion
It is encouraging to hear that the Department is beginning to take steps to rebuild its relationship with disabled people. But the Department still has a long way to go. Effective and meaningful engagement with disabled people, when developing policy proposals that will impact them, is one way the Department can rebuild trust with disabled people. We were therefore disappointed to hear that the Department had not accepted the Social Security Advisory Committee’s (SSAC) recommendation that it should introduce a protocol for engaging with disabled people.
Paragraph Reference:
180
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
Recommendation The evidence we heard suggests that the Department’s engagement with disabled people on developing its National Strategy for Disabled People has been poor. We recommend that the Department immediately accept SSAC’s proposal for a protocol for engaging with disabled people. In response to this report, the Department should set out a timeframe for when it will begin publishing information about its engagement with disabled people. Response The Cabinet Office based Disability Unit has led development of the National Disability Strategy, working across government and reporting to DWP Ministers. The National Disability Strategy was published on 28 July 2021 and aims to improve disabled people’s everyday lives. The strategies breadth is informed by one of the biggest listening exercises with disabled people in our recent history. The UK Disability Survey saw over 14,000 people respond, providing information about their everyday experiences. Engagement was also through our regional and national networks, virtual workshops and other events, alongside detailed dialogues with disabled people. The National Disability Strategy commits to reviewing the way the UK government engages with disabled people, through discussion with disabled people and disabled people’s organisations and charities.