The government has been denied permission to appeal against a court ruling that the entire disability strategy is unlawful, not just the national consultation, reports DNS.
The rulings mean that the government needs to discard the strategy and start again.
Mr Justice Griffiths, who heard the case, has denied work and pensions secretary Therese Coffey permission to appeal. He concluded that its appeal had “no real prospect of success” and that there were “no compelling reasons to hear an appeal”.
Despite the ruling, the government can still apply for permission to appeal in the court of appeal.
Minister for Disabled People Chloe Smith has said that the government was “disappointed” with the court’s judgment and “intend[s] to appeal”.
Smith said that ministers “remain focused on delivering the contents of the strategy, which is broad and important”.
DR UK Head of Policy Fazilet Hadi said: “Disabled people raised grave concerns both before and during the consultation that it didn’t give enough time or have enough reach to truly represent the views of Disabled people, which must be at the heart of the strategy. It is frustrating given how much lack of equity Disabled people have in society that, in effect, a whole year has been wasted which could have been used to start real change for Disabled people. Government needs to deeply listen and genuinely engage with Disabled people in advance of renewing a Strategy which delivers real, tangible change. ”
Disability Rights UK letter to Chloe Smith
Disability strategy ruled unlawful, DWP denied permission to appeal
The government has been denied permission to appeal against a court ruling that the entire disability strategy is unlawful, not just the national consultation, reports DNS.
The rulings mean that the government needs to discard the strategy and start again.
Mr Justice Griffiths, who heard the case, has denied work and pensions secretary Therese Coffey permission to appeal. He concluded that its appeal had “no real prospect of success” and that there were “no compelling reasons to hear an appeal”.
Despite the ruling, the government can still apply for permission to appeal in the court of appeal.
Minister for Disabled People Chloe Smith has said that the government was “disappointed” with the court’s judgment and “intend[s] to appeal”.
Smith said that ministers “remain focused on delivering the contents of the strategy, which is broad and important”.
DR UK Head of Policy Fazilet Hadi said: “Disabled people raised grave concerns both before and during the consultation that it didn’t give enough time or have enough reach to truly represent the views of Disabled people, which must be at the heart of the strategy. It is frustrating given how much lack of equity Disabled people have in society that, in effect, a whole year has been wasted which could have been used to start real change for Disabled people. Government needs to deeply listen and genuinely engage with Disabled people in advance of renewing a Strategy which delivers real, tangible change. ”