Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, with reference to the Written Statement of 17 May 2018 on Access to Elected Office for Disabled People, HCWS695, when she plans to publish further information on the scheme; and how candidates for the English local elections in 2019 can apply to the new fund.

On 3 December, the Minister for Women and Equalities launched the £250,000 EnAble Fund for Elected Office to support disabled candidates, primarily for the forthcoming English local elections in 2019.

This is an interim fund while the Government undertakes a programme of work with disability stakeholders to help major and smaller political parties better support disabled candidates. Disability Rights UK, the largest pan-disability organisation in the UK, supported by the Local Government Association, will deliver the fund.

The EnAble Fund is now open for candidates to apply and political parties have been notified. Further information is available via this link: https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/enablefund.