Thank you for contacting me about the impact of the Coronavirus outbreak on people with disabilities and for bringing Scope’s Disability Report to my attention.
It troubles me that so many people with disabilities feel forgotten during this crisis. As well as addressing this, we must ensure rights are not eroded and also look for opportunities to change things for the better for good.
I have ensured that my colleagues in the Department for Work and Pensions and the Government Equalities Office are aware of the important contents of Scope’s report. It contains a great deal of worthwhile work. But as well as ensuring those who feel forgotten are aware of this work, we must look for gaps and further opportunities.
Regarding welfare, the Government acted quickly to suspend all face-to-face assessments for health and disability-related benefits while also extending award periods, giving people peace of mind that their benefit payments would continue. I am encouraged that Ministers are protecting the health of individuals claiming these benefits, many of whom are likely to be at greater risk of severe Coronavirus symptoms due to their pre-existing health conditions.
It is important that measures in the Coronavirus Act are used only when strictly necessary and will only be kept in place for as long as required to respond to the pandemic. Local authorities are still expected to do as much as they possibly can to comply with their duties to meet needs during this period, and the legislation does not remove the duty of care towards an individual's risk of serious neglect or harm. The legislation must never be used as cover for negating basic duties.
It is of course welcome that those who are living with a disability and are Clinically Extremely Vulnerable can access the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS). The Government’s support package during the pandemic sits alongside a substantial set of welfare support for individuals with disabilities. The Government will spend over £55 billion in 2020/21 on benefits to support disabled people and people with health conditions.
There are also opportunities for positive change. The way many of us work has, for example, changed. Normalising working from home and other adjustments is one way we can emerge from this into a world which better embraces people with disabilities.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.