Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the letter from the Minister for Social Care to the hon. member for Ellesmere Port and Neston of 21 December 2022, what the outcome of the meeting with disabled people on policy development in summer 2022 was; and what plans he has for further such engagement.

In Summer 2022, a number of meetings and focus groups with disabled people, and disabled people’s organisations, took place to hear disabled people's experiences in relation to the rising cost of living. Officials continue to engage with stakeholders to build this evidence base on how the cost of living is impacting disabled people.

On 1 December 2022, we announced that a new Disability Action Plan will be consulted on and published in 2023. The plan will set out the action the Government will take in 2023 and 2024 to improve disabled people’s lives.

Ensuring the voice of disabled people is properly heard is a priority for this Government. We will run a full public consultation on the plan later in 2023. The consultation will be accessible to ensure all disabled people who want to take part, can do so.