Oral Answers to Questions

Mims Davies Excerpts

Wednesday 13th January 2021 Commons Chamber

[Munira Wilson (Twickenham) (LD)]

What steps her Department has taken to help tackle the disproportionate effect of the covid-19 outbreak on people with a disability.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mims Davies) [V]]

The Government are committed to supporting disabled people affected by the covid-19 pandemic. We are ensuring that disabled people continue to have access to disability benefits, financial support, food, medicines and employment support, as well as updated guidance in accessible formats.

[Munira Wilson [V]]

I thank the Minister for her answer. We know that in the last lockdown over half of families with disabled children found that their essential care support was stopped, with a third of parents reporting no specific support for their child’s remote learning needs. That left many families in crisis with no respite. What steps are Ministers taking to ensure that both care and access to learning are made a priority for disabled children during this lockdown?

[Mims Davies]

The pandemic has been extremely challenging for families with children and young people with special educational needs. Supporting them is a priority for this Government and their wellbeing remains central to our response. We have our £37.3 million family fund to help more than 75,000 low-income families raising children. The hon. Lady will note that the Minister for Children and Families, my hon. Friend the Member for Chelmsford (Vicky Ford), is partaking in this session, and I am sure that she will be keen to update her further.

[Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) (Lab)]

What recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the development of the new national autism strategy.