Welsh disability campaigners reject invitation to be ‘glorified doorstaff’ in UK Government review
Abby Neve
A Welsh disability campaign group have issued a statement rejecting an invitation from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) to ‘co-host’ part of the UK Government’s review into a disability benefit.
Disabled People Against Cuts Cymru were invited to a “shaping recommendations” workshop in Bangor, as part of the Timms review into the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) benefit.
In a statement, DPAC Cymru said the DWP’s offer fell short of genuine involvement.
DWP documents state that selected workshop co-hosts responsibilities would be “to provide additional staff”, “welcome participants to the venue and help them settle in”, “set the scene” and “thank participants at the end.”
They would also be invited to advise on accessibility, support in communication and support logistics throughout the event.
Co-hosts would not be “deciding or designing workshop content,” or “facilitating discussions during workshops.”
The DPAC felt this did not count as ‘co-production.’
A DPAC Cymru spokesperson said “the Timms review has repeatedly failed us as disabled people, and as Welsh people. It is not the ‘co-production’ that was promised to parliament. What’s needed is an independent review, democratically led by disabled people and our organisations including our trade unions.”
“We are not boycotting the review. We want to take part and put our views on the record, even as we protest outside. But we will not be there to smile and take people’s coats.”
A spokesperson for the DWP said:
“We recognise the importance of engaging regularly with stakeholders in Wales to ensure that disabled people’s voices UK-wide are being heard on a range of issues, including the Timms Review.
“This is the first time the UK government has committed to co-production on this scale, putting disabled people at the heart of policymaking with an extensive engagement programme including a Call for Evidence that received over 38,000 responses.”
“The conclusion of the Timms Review Interim Report is clear: PIP is no longer fit for purpose. The review’s final recommendations will lay the foundation for deep, sustainable reform.”
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