Rishi Sunak slammed over ‘appalling’ choice to scrap incapacity minister

Rishi Sunak’s authorities has been branded as “appalling” by charities for scrapping its devoted minister for disabled individuals and giving the “crucial” function to an current minister.

Mims Davies – the present Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Social Mobility, Youth and Progression – has been given the title, including to her already heavy workload.

Downing Street has defended the choice, however charity campaigners are livid in regards to the transfer which has left the UK’s 16 million disabled individuals feeling “inadequate”.

Speaking to the Express, Ms Davies mentioned: “It is an honour to take on this important role for disabled people, building on the work I’ve been doing in government to make sure no one is left behind or feels overlooked. It’s a passion and commitment I have and drives my public service.

“It’s something very close to my heart and it’s made me reflect on how, as someone who grew up with caring responsibilities, like many it took a while to realise we were doing this – as it’s just what you do when things happen. I do know how precious every life is and the very real struggles disabled people and their families go through.”

Ms Davies spoke about her dad’s mind harm, which she mentioned, “came out of the blue” and altered her and her household’s lives “forever”.

Disability equality charity Scope, amongst others, criticised the Government’s choice to “downgrade” the function. 

James Taylor, the charity’s Director of Strategy, mentioned: “Disabled individuals have been ready per week for an announcement on who could have accountability for incapacity in authorities. And now we’re seeing a downgrading of the function.

“We’d urge the federal government to reinstate the devoted Minister of State place, to mirror the necessity for the UK’s 16 million disabled individuals to be handled as a precedence. We want full-time management of incapacity technique in authorities, to verify coverage doesn’t go away disabled individuals deprived.”

It comes after sources claimed this morning that the role was going to be abandoned entirely, sparking outrage from the disabled community and other MPs.

Vicky Foxcroft, Labour’s shadow disabilities minister, said the move was “shocking” before Ms Davies’ appointment was announced at 4 pm. 

She said: “After 13 years of Tory austerity, pandemic and cost-of-living crisis, disabled people feel their voices aren’t being heard and represented in Government. This confirms it.” 

Tom Pursglove held the role of Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work until last week, when he was moved to the Home Office following Robert Jenrick’s resignation over the Safety of Rwanda bill.

After Jenrick’s departure, his immigration minister brief was split between Pursglove – taking on legal migration – and Michael Tomlinson – the newly minted minister for illegal migration. 

The position was left vacant for seven days – the longest period without a disability minister in post for 30 years. Downing Street denied this was “downgrading” the disability role in favour of immigration.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said before the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) introduced the news this afternoon: “It’s not right. We will have a minister for disabled people who will lead on that important work.”

Pressed on the lack of a minister focusing solely on people with disabilities, he said: “What you will continue to see is a government showing strong support for disabled people and for disabled issues.”

A petition, which has since amassed practically 500 signatures in lower than 24 hours, has since been created by a disabled and disgruntled Briton calling for the Government to ‘Reinstate the Disability Minister’s function’.

Simon Sansome wrote on Change.org: “I am one of millions of people in the UK who feel unrepresented by our Government today.

“The absence of a dedicated Disability Minister is a glaring omission, leaving us without an essential advocate within Government. This role is not just symbolic; it has practical implications for policy-making and ensuring that our needs are considered in all aspects of governance.”

The transfer comes through the UK’s incapacity historical past month, which runs from November 16 till December 16.