Maggie Throup OBE MP, Member of Parliament for Erewash has welcomed the Government’s new Disability Action Plan as part of its long-term plan to help disabled people across Erewash fulfil their potential and ensure nothing holds them back.
Informed by the views of over 1,300 disabled people, their families and interested parties, the action plan sets out 32 practical actions to transform the everyday lives of disabled people and make the UK the most accessible place in the world.
Measures include building an online information hub for local authorities on opening accessible playgrounds, creating a new fund to support disabled people who want to be elected to public office, improving support for people with assistance dogs, and leading new research into emerging issues affecting disabled people in the UK over the next 20 years.
Maggie said:
Everyone in Erewash deserves to live a happy and fulfilling life, regardless of additional mental or physical needs.
I am delighted that the Government is building on its strong track record of supporting disabled people with its new Disability Action Plan, setting out 32 practical steps to transform their everyday lives to ensure disabled people can participate fully in society.
The Government is delivering on our long-term plan to build a brighter future for disabled people by making the country the most accessible place in the world, ensuring that everyone can live their life to the full.”
The Disability Action Plan builds on the strong progress of successive Governments. Since 2013, 2 million more disabled people have entered work, including 1.6 million since 2017 – overdelivering on the Government’s commitment to get one million more disabled people into work by 2027, five years ahead of target.
The Government is also continuing to expand employment support for people with disabilities through programmes including the £2.5 billion Back to Work Plan which includes reforms to help those with disabilities and health conditions and changing the Work Capability Assessment to reflect the modern world of work and the opportunities available to disabled people. These measures will help to remove barriers facing disabled people and ensure that everyone can fulfil their potential.
The Government is continuing to deliver on its long-term plan to build a brighter future for disabled people in the UK.