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, on what date the 12-month programme of work to help political parties encourage and support their candidates started.

The Government Equalities Office have been focused on ensuring support is in place for disabled candidates for the forthcoming local elections in May. The £250,000 interim EnAble Fund for Elected Office has been open since December 2018.

Alongside this, officials have met political parties, including the Green Party, and several disability organisations to work on options and solutions for long-term support including for smaller parties and independents.

While this work is ongoing political parties should consider how best to put in place sustainable measures to support disabled candidates.