Candidates: Disability
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support is available for disabled candidates standing for election.
Answered by Sir Stephen Timms
It is this government’s ambition to see more disabled people in public office. We have been clear that we will champion disabled people’s rights and work closely with them so that disabled people’s views and voices are at the heart of decision-making.
A new fund is currently being developed to assist with the additional disability-related costs of contesting elected office. More information about the fund will be announced in due course.
Additionally, as part of the current MHCLG-funded sector support programme, the Local Government Association (LGA) delivers the Be a Councillor campaign - which aims to attract people who reflect the communities they serve to put themselves forward for local election. The LGA programme also supports disabled people in local politics, through a disabled local councillors leadership programme and a disability champions network across local authorities.
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