TORIES MUST IMPLEMENT ALL REMAINING STAGES OF THE EQUALITY ACT

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SNP BACK CALL TO UK GOVERNMENT FOR NEW NATIONAL FOCUS ON DISABILITY RIGHTS

The SNP is calling on the UK Government to implement all remaining stages of the Equality Act to ensure that disabled people have better access to public spaces and to make politics more representative.

Last week, the Equality and Human Rights Commission published their response to a House of Lords Select Committee report on the Equality Act 2010 and its effect on the lives of disabled people by calling for a new national focus on disability rights so that disabled people are no longer treated as ‘second class citizens’.

The SNP Scottish Government is committed to achieving equality for disabled people and will maintain disability benefits, not cut them, and ensure they remain universal, not means tested.  A new Scottish Social Security Agency will have respect and dignity at its core.

West Dunbartonshire MP, Martin Docherty-Hughes, said:

“People with disabilities must be treated with the same dignity and respect as everyone else and while huge progress has been made in ensuring that public places like restaurants, theatres, concert venues and public transport are accessible there is so much more that needs to be done. 

“It is critical that all the remaining provisions in the Equality Act 2010 are implemented – breaking down the barriers to equalising access to public events and leisure facilities is not only hugely beneficial for individuals, it has obvious benefits for businesses too as their customer base is significantly increased.

“The Tories have arbitrarily slashed £30 a week from those who are unable to work through ill-health or disability and the UK Government should be ashamed that the UN has launched an investigation into UK violations of the UN Convention on Disability Rights.

“The Tories must live up to their rhetoric and stand up for disabled people by implementing all remaining stages of the Equality Act as an absolute priority. This isn’t something that is abstract and so high level as to make no practical difference; it has a direct impact on the lives of people in the communities of my constituency in West Dunbartonshire and across the whole UK.”

Equality and Human Rights Commission report:

https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/our-work/news/lack-progress-disability-rights-society%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%98badge-shame%E2%80%99

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