- Minister for Disabled Persons role downgraded
- Mims Davies remains at basic level
- Critics express concern over change
The position of minister for disabled persons has been degraded, with the newly appointed individual remaining at the most rudimentary tier of the government hierarchy.
Mims Davies remains a parliamentary undersecretary of state while becoming DWP.
During his tenure, predecessor Tom Pursglove was a minister of state.
Previously, No. 10 denied the position being demoted in response to charitable demands for a new minister.
The position became vacant last week when Mr. Pursglove was appointed minister for legal migration. It will be filled by an existing government employee with other responsibilities, according to Downing Street.
The official spokesman for the prime minister stated, “You will continue to observe a government that strongly supports disabled people and disabled issues.”
He added that the new minister would “take the lead on that vital work.”
As DWP Minister for Disabled Persons, Mr. Pursglove returned to cabinet in October 2022 under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
When Robert Jenrick resigned as immigration minister last week, he vacated the position, citing inadequacies in the new Rwanda legislation enacted by Mr. Sunak and the fact that his responsibilities were divided into two camps—one for lawful migration and the other for unlawful migration.
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Ms. Davies, who described herself as “honored” to have been appointed to the new position, was formerly a member of parliament serving as secretary of state, the lowest-ranking ministerial position, overseeing youth, social mobility, and advancement.
Although her forthcoming responsibilities remain undisclosed, Ms. Davies stated that she would maintain “a strong emphasis on social mobility.”
She indicated she would “work as hard as I can to ensure disabled people’s voices are heard loud and clear.” In addition, she expressed her commitment to continuing “to champion opportunities, progression, and life chances.”
“Additionally disempowered”
The minister for disabled people position, according to the disability charity Sense, is “vital in government to ensure the interests of disabled people are represented” and should not be filled by an individual who is “already juggling other responsibilities.”
Scope, another charitable organization, deemed the modification “horrendous and regressive.”
Policy co-chair of the Disability Benefits Consortium, Anastasia Berry, stated, “Disabled people continue to be treated as if they do not exist, despite comprising nearly a quarter of the population.”
The chair of the Commons Women and Equalities Committee, Conservative MP Caroline Nokes, stated that the action “completely misrepresents disabled people’s clear desire for greater input into the strategies, action plans, and policies that affect them.”
She stated that it would “do nothing to prevent disabled people from feeling even more helpless.”
Ms. Davies, according to a government spokesperson, would “build upon this administration’s track record of supporting disabled people.”
Assisting in the dismantling of obstacles so that every disabled person may flourish. The minister will ensure that the most vulnerable members of our society always have access to a robust safety net.
On a variety of issues, disability rights organizations have been highly critical of the government’s performance.
