PETITION CO-AUTHORED BY ME FOGGY DOG AND VOICES ADFOCAD

We call for the removal of Stephen Timms MP from his role as Minister for Social Security and Disability and demand the creation of a dedicated Minister for Disabled People role.

Our Concerns:

Stephen Timms MP currently holds the dual role of Minister for Social Security and Disability, overseeing disability policy alongside broader responsibilities within the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). This conflation of duties presents a clear conflict of interest.

Conflicting Priorities: The DWP's focus on welfare reforms aimed at cost reduction and incentivising employment may clash with the need to advocate for the specific needs and rights of disabled individuals.

Insufficient Focus: The breadth of responsibilities within the combined role compromises the ability to provide the focused attention required to address the complex and varied challenges faced by disabled people. The barriers faced by disabled people extend beyond the DWP, encompassing areas such as health, social services, and employment, necessitating a dedicated minister with cross-government authority.

Lack of Single-Focus Advocacy: The absence of a Minister for Disabled People undermines the representation and prioritisation of disability issues across all government departments.

The Need for a Minister for Disabled People:  As outlined on Gov.uk, Lead Ministers for Disability are to "represent the interests of disabled people, and champion disability inclusion and accessibility across each government department." A dedicated Minister for Disabled People is essential to fulfill this role effectively.

Disability issues permeate various government sectors, including health, the DWP, and social services. A minister with exclusive focus and authority is crucial to drive the necessary transformational changes.

The WECIL organisation and other organisations have expressed serious concerns about the merger of the roles of Minister for Social Security and Minister for Disabled People.

The 16 million disabled people in the UK deserve a strong, dedicated voice within the government.
 

We Demand:

Therefore, we the undersigned, petition the Prime Minister to:

• Remove Stephen Timms MP from his role as Disability Minister (to remain as Minister for Social Security)
• Establish a dedicated Minister for Disabled People role with full cross-government responsibilities.
• Ensure this Minister has the necessary authority and resources to drive transformational changes that prioritise the needs and rights of disabled people.
• Ensure that the Minister for Disabled People is not responsible for disability employment within the DWP. 

We believe that a Minister for Disabled People is essential to ensure that the voices and needs of disabled individuals are effectively represented and addressed within the government. This role is crucial for promoting inclusion, accessibility, and equality for all disabled people in the UK.

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