Sunak scraps Disability Minister role: Whizz Kidz’s response

Following the news that UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has scrapped the dedicated minister for disabled people role, Sarah Pugh, Chief Executive at Whizz Kidz – the UK’s leading charity for young wheelchair users, said:

“This action sends a strong and distressing message to the public, implying inadequate respect and representation in both government and society for the 24% of people in the UK who are disabled.

"As a charity dedicated to supporting young wheelchair users, we are deeply troubled by this decision and the detrimental impact it may have on these young people, highlighting the disregard for their needs and representation.

"How are young wheelchair users supposed to feel confident that the government has their interests at heart? 

"We will continue to lobby parliament for better care and support for all the young people we support to make sure we create a society in which every young wheelchair user is mobile, enabled and included.”