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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 for all public bodies (including the Treasury) to undertake Impact Assessments which examine 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 will have on women. Disability Alliance has been working with a range of organisations on the need for a similar disability challenge to ensure measures are not implemented which will undermine disabled people’s equality of opportunity and ability to live out of poverty.
Mr Hoban was asked five times on Radio 4 this morning if a full assessment was undertaken and was unable to provide a direct answer. This is a massive disappointment to organisations representing disabled people and other disadvantaged groups due to evidence highlighting the people most likely to feel the impact of Budget cuts.
The VAT increase alone will have a much harsher impact on disabled people who already experience greater costs of living (eg for utilities and adaptive equipment), are less likely to be in work and earn less than other citizens when in employment.
Vanessa Stanislas, DA Chief Executive said:
“Disabled people and other disadvantaged groups require greater support from Government services and benefits. To hear that the Government announced the Budget without considering whether disabled people will be disproportionately affected by cuts to public spending and benefit reform is deeply alarming.”
Mr Hoban was being interviewed about a report from the Institute for Fiscal Studies which revealed 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 a statement in June from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne MP that the Budget was progressive in June.
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