Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps he is taking to enable blind and partially sighted people to exercise their right to vote independently.

It is integral to our democracy that everybody is able to make their voice heard and that elections are accessible for all those eligible to vote.

The Government works closely with charities representing individuals with disabilities such as those who are blind or partially-sighted, including the RNIB. We will continue to work with these organisations to help ensure effective communication and collaboration so that disabled electors get the right support. We have also worked with the RNIB to test potential ways to improve the voting process for blind and partially sighted people.

In addition, the Elections Bill will, for the first time in electoral law, put in place a requirement for Returning Officers to consider the needs of all disabled voters when providing equipment for polling stations. Returning Officers are best placed to respond to the needs of their local communities, and being able to respond to individual needs will help ensure that people are effectively supported to vote. Our new proposals will be supported by guidance from the Electoral Commission, and will involve a wide range of engagement with relevant stakeholders.