The Department for Culture, Media and Sport stated in its Annual Report 2005 that it was 'on course' for achieving its joint targets for increasing participation by under-represented groups in arts events. However the Annual Report also states that since 2001 the number of disabled people attending at least two arts events, and the number of socially excluded people participating in at least two arts events, has actually fallen.
Commenting on the three Welfare Reform Bills announced in the Queen's Speech, Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, David Laws MP said:
A letter from the Department for Work and Pensions to Paul Holmes MP has thrown into doubt the Government's support for the New Deal for people with disabilities, despite Gordon Brown's statement yesterday that abolishing the New Deal would mean they could not move people off incapacity benefits into work.
The Liberal Democrats today launch their manifesto for people with disabilities. The Liberal Democrats are promising a £200 winter fuel payment for severely disabled people and free off-peak local bus travel for all people with disabilities.
Liberal Democrat Disability Spokesman and member of the Education and Skills Select Committee, Paul Holmes MP, questioned the Secretary of State for Education, Rt Hon Ruth Kelly MP, today over the failure to practise inclusion for children with Special Educational Needs, including disabilities.
