Equality 2025 (New Chair)

Maria Miller Excerpts

Monday 28th March 2011 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Maria Miller)]

Equality 2025 is a non-departmental public body of publicly appointed disabled people, which was established in December 2006.

The group offers strategic, confidential advice to Government on issues that affect disabled people. This advice can include participation in the very early stages of policy development, or in-depth examination of existing policy. The group works with Ministers and senior officials across Government.

Rowen Jade chaired Equality 2025 from 1 December 2008 to 2 September 2010, when she sadly passed away. This recruitment exercise took place to find a candidate to continue Rowen’s good work.

The recruitment exercise was carried out in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ code of practice. The quality of applicants for the post was exceptionally high. I am pleased to announce the successful candidate and new chair of Equality 2025 from l April 2011 is Dr Rachel Perkins.

Rachel Perkins has been a member of Equality 2025 since 1 April 2010. I am confident she will lead the group forward during an interesting and challenging time.