The debate was moved by Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Owen Smith. The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Stephen Crabb, responded on behalf of the Government.
Link to video of the disability employment gap debate
The Motion
“That this House regrets the Government's lack of progress towards halving the disability employment gap; further regrets that the Government has not yet published its White Paper on improving support for disabled people; notes with concern that commitments made in the Autumn Statement 2015 to help more disabled people through Access to Work and expanding Fit for Work have not materialised; further notes that the Government is reducing funding for specialist support for claimants with health conditions and disabilities through the Work and Health Programme; and calls on the Government to reverse cuts to the work-related activity component of Employment and Support Allowance and Universal Credit work allowances that risk widening the disability employment gap.”
The motion was defeated by 262 to 215 votes
Disability Rights UK briefed a number of MPs involved in the debate and was mentioned several times within the debate itself.