Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to restore funding to enable parliamentary candidates with a disability to contest the general election on equal terms.

This Government is committed to increasing representation of disabled people in elected office. Earlier this year, the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work wrote to political parties represented in the House of Commons to seek support in ensuring that disabled candidates and people in elected office have the support they require.

The Government has been clear that political parties have a responsibility to support disabled candidates.

The UK Government Disability Action Plan consultation did include a proposal to review funding of elected office support and explore the merits of a long-term funding solution. The responses to this consultation are currently being analysed with a response to be published in due course.