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25 August 2010
Treasury Minister, Mark Hoban MP, failed to confirm this morning that the Emergency Budget had been properly assessed for its impact on the most disadvantaged UK citizens, including disabled people. Disability Alliance believes it is a legal requirement of equality legislation to undertake an Impact Assessment which examines policies for their disproportionate effect on disabled people. The Budget is already facing a legal challenge from the Fawcett Society for the failure to consider the disproportionately negative effect it would have on women and Disability Alliance has been working with a range of organisations on the need for a similar disability challenge.
Mr Hoban was asked five times if a full assessment was undertaken and was unable to provide a direct answer to the disappointment of disability, gender and other organisations who are aware of the evidence on who is most likely to feel the impact of Budget cuts. Disabled people, and other disadvantaged groups, require greater support from Government services and benefits.
Mr Hoban was being interviewed after a report from the Institute for Fiscal Studies revealed today that the Budget is regressive as it will have little effect on high earners with no children, whilst single disabled parents on low income will be hardest hit. This is despite Chancellor George Osbourne MP suggesting that the Budget was progressive in June.
Further information on Mr Hoban’s ‘Jeremy Paxman v Michael Howard’ moment is available on BBC Today’s website: www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/today/ and the IFS report is available at: www.disabilityalliance.org/ifsbrief.htm
DA’s statement on the need for a legal challenge to the Budget is available at www.disabilityalliance.org/ifsbrief3.htm
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