Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to research from the Disabled Children’s Partnership which found that delays to health appointments during the pandemic has led to over half of surveyed parents saying their child’s condition has worsened, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the covid-19 on the health of disabled children.

We will publish a national strategy for disabled people later this spring, taking into account the impacts of the pandemic. Additionally, National Health Service recovery guidance makes clear that community services must be prioritised for children and young people aged up to 25 years old with special educational needs and disabilities and who have an Education Health and Care Plan in place or who are going through an assessment.