Disability Action Plan

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 4:36 pm on 5 February 2024.

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Photo of Mims Davies Mims Davies The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 4:36, 5 February 2024

I thank my right hon. Friend for her kind words, and for her incredible, impeccable support; she took the British Sign Language Act 2022 through Parliament, and I thank her for the work that she has done in my Department, and her continuing interest in these matters. Fundamentally, the disability action plan is about disabled people’s daily lives, and their needs not being an afterthought in any part of Government.

I will be honest: coming into this role, I found getting messages out extremely challenging. I will take that forward by promoting accessible communications, monitoring standards and training, and ensuring full inclusion. Vicky Foxcroft mentioned the No. 10 Downing Street briefings. It is so important that everybody knows the central messages; everyone needs to be included. That is why one of the actions comes down to local resilience forums, and having the right engagement at a local level in times of needs. I am sure that my right hon. Friend Chloe Smith will welcome that, too.