The SNP manifesto: what it means for disabled people

We have now launched our manifesto for the General Election on 8 June. It sets out how we will ensure that there is strong opposition to a re-elected and increasingly hard line Tory government at Westminster.

Here’s how strong SNP voices will stand up for disabled people at Westminster.

  • SNP MPs will support the extension of pay gap reporting to cover gender, race and disability.
  • We will work to ensure that there is as much support as possible for disabled people, and people of all classes, races and gender identities to stand for election to the House of Commons.
  • The Human Rights Act has been crucial in challenging the UK government’s welfare changes and cuts. SNP MPs will oppose any attempts to scrap the Human Rights Act or withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights.
  • We will call on the UK government to work towards the incorporation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in UK law.
  • We will support reversal of the £29 per week cut to Employment Support Allowance, which supports ill or disabled people with financial support if they’re unable to work, or personalised support so they can work.
  • SNP MPs will call for the current Work Capability Assessments to be halted, and a new system to be put in place which treats everyone with fairness and respect.
  • SNP MPs will urge the UK government to follow the lead of the Scottish Government to review Personal Independence Payments, ensuring assessments, descriptors and award times are appropriate and rooted in respect and dignity.
  • A disabled adult lives in 80 per cent of the households affected by the Bedroom Tax in Scotland. The SNP Scottish Government will abolish the Bedroom Tax completely as soon as possible and SNP MPs will continue to demand that it is scrapped across the UK.
  • SNP MPs will support cross-party efforts at Westminster to follow Scotland’s lead and recognise BSL as a UK language in law and strengthen the rights of BSL users.

Read the manifesto in full here.