Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, when she was first made aware of proposals by the Equality and Human Rights Commissioner to abolish the position of Disability Commissioner.

The position of ‘Disability Commissioner’ was not a statutory one, and there was no requirement for the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to put proposals about discontinuing it to Ministers. Following a period of consideration and discussion and the winding up of the statutory Disability Committee on 31 March 2017 under the Equality Act 2006 (Dissolution of the Disability Committee) Order 2014 (SI No.406), the Board of the EHRC decided to abolish the role of ‘Disability Commissioner’ at its meeting on 11 May 2017. We will, however, ensure that disabled people continue to be represented on the EHRC.