Business of the House

Debate between Emma Lewell-Buck and Lord Grayling

Thursday 21st April 2016 Commons Chamber

[Chris Grayling]

I have tapped the microphone and it is working, Mr Speaker.

The Transport Secretary will be here next Thursday. I know that he is very concerned to make sure that we have a transparent system of fares on our railways, and I hope that the hon. Gentleman will raise that important point with him.

[Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck (South Shields) (Lab)]

In January I asked the Leader of the House why the Government had allowed disability discrimination to take hold in the civil service. Recent analysis by Keele University has found that in all Departments disabled staff were less likely to receive “exceed” performance ratings than their non-disabled colleagues. That means that, on average, disabled workers are 74% more likely to be in the bottom performance management category, which puts their jobs at risk. Will the Leader of the House please now push for a statement to explain why his Government are content to allow disability discrimination to continue?

[Chris Grayling]

Whatever the research may say, I simply do not accept that. I have been a Secretary of State in one Department and a lead Minister in another, and my experience of the way in which we work with people with disabilities and of the role they play in our Departments is nothing but positive. We have some fine disabled civil servants who are role models to others with disabilities and who make a real difference to this Government, and I hope they will continue to do so in the years ahead.

Business of the House

Debate between Emma Lewell-Buck and Lord Grayling

Thursday 28th January 2016 Commons Chamber

[Chris Grayling]

None of us is indifferent to the fate of British steel jobs. Ministers have spent a huge amount of time in recent months trying to find ways to ease the pressures on that industry, which faces a global crisis. This is an enormous challenge for all of us, but we will do everything that we can, within the powers that we have available, to ease those pressures.

[Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck (South Shields) (Lab)]

Answers to written questions show that in almost every Government Department, disabled members of staff are twice as likely as others to report bullying and harassment, and are consistently likely to believe that they are not fairly treated. Will the Leader of the House ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office to make a statement explaining why the Government have allowed disability discrimination to take hold in the civil service, and what they are going to do about it?

[Chris Grayling]

Let us be clear that disability discrimination, in whatever form, is not acceptable—I agree with the hon. Lady on that point. I will ensure that the Minister for the Cabinet Office reads her comments and the parliamentary questions. I would not condone in any way, shape or form discrimination against, or the bullying of, disabled people.