Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Alex Chalk Excerpts
Wednesday 5th June 2019

(5 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Kevin Foster Portrait Kevin Foster
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I thank my hon. Friend for his question. A range of work was done locally, supported by the Electoral Commission and the Cabinet Office with councils’ consent, to ensure that voters were aware of the requirements. The indications so far are that that has been successful, but of course we will look at the Electoral Commission’s independent review before making further decisions on the process.

Alex Chalk Portrait Alex Chalk (Cheltenham) (Con)
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5. What plans the Government has to encourage more candidates with disabilities to stand for election.

Brandon Lewis Portrait The Minister without Portfolio (Brandon Lewis)
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The Government are working with disability organisations to help political parties better support disabled candidates. In December 2018, we launched the £250,000 EnAble fund, providing grants that cover disability-related expenses that people might face when seeking elected office.

Alex Chalk Portrait Alex Chalk
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I have met many talented students with disabilities in Cheltenham from the National Star College, so I commend my right hon. Friend for removing disability expenses from the electoral spending limits. Surely, that should apply across the United Kingdom. Does he not agree that it should be rolled out to Wales, too?

Brandon Lewis Portrait Brandon Lewis
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My hon. Friend makes a very good point. That is, of course, a matter for the Welsh Labour party in the Welsh Assembly. We have taken the view here that excluding disability-related expenses is vital to closing the gap between candidates with disabilities and candidates without disabilities, therefore enhancing equality of opportunity.