Business Disability Forum calls for disabled people to be included in “levelling up” agenda
Following the publication of the Government’s Levelling Up White Paper, the Business Disability Forum has called for proper consultation with disabled people.
Business Disability Forum’s Head of Policy, Angela Matthews, said: “Michael Gove, the Secretary of State of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has declared “The United Kingdom is an unparalleled success story”.
“Unfortunately, for many disabled people, this is far from the reality of their everyday lives.
“To truly make a difference, Levelling Up must not just be about putting a financial figure next to a final output but must address first and foremost the processes and principles of co-production that help deliver truly equitable and meaningful outcomes for every single person in the UK.
“We need to hear more from the Government on how this will be achieved, particularly in relation to disabled people. The Government has been widely criticised, recently, for failing to properly consult with disabled people.
“Good policy making is not about final outcomes for a majority of people – it is about good outcomes for all. This means everyone being involved, everyone being heard, and every single person being able to trust that decision makers at the heart of central and local government understand the reality of how disabled people live their lives and to see this reflected in policy making.”
“We look forward to seeing how the needs of disabled people will be reflected in the detailed and strategic plans behind each of the high-level missions.”
Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove yesterday unveiled the government’s flagship Levelling Up White Paper, setting out a plan to transform the UK by spreading opportunity and prosperity to all parts of it.
At the heart of this new way of making and implementing policy are 12 national missions, which must be achieved by 2030.
The first mission, for instance, will see pay, employment, and productivity grow everywhere, and the disparities between the top and worst performing areas narrow.
The Business Disability Forum works with over 400 employers and service providers, bringing business leaders, disabled people, and Government together to understand what needs to change to contribute a balanced voice on how to advance the participation of disabled people as workers, users of services, and citizens in society.
Last year the Business Disability Forum stated that working age disabled people had been forgotten in the UK Government’s plan to reform social care funding.
The organisation stated that the funding did not offer relief for disabled people experiencing a minimally moving disability employment gap and who are typically earning less than their non-disabled peers.
