THE government has been accused of “acute violations of disabled people’s human rights” after failing to act on United Nations recommendations made seven years ago.

Disabled people are living in deeper poverty and are increasingly driven to use foodbanks as a result, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) report published today finds.

In 2016 the UN disability committee exposed the shocking plight of disabled people in the UK. 

Direct-action campaign group Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) raised concerns with the UN.

But the EHRC study has shown that the government has done virtually nothing — and DPAC says the plight of disabled people has worsened.

The report said a “disproportionate number of disabled people” live on a low income or in poverty, have to wait for decisions on benefit entitlement and are more likely to use resources such as food banks.

“Across the UK, there is a lack of comprehensive, disaggregated equality data to facilitate the monitoring of the impact of policy and programmes on disabled persons to ensure that targeted actions can be taken,” the report said.

It said lack of social care provision had led to “acute violations of disabled people’s human rights.”

EHRC chairwoman Kishwer Falkner called on the government “to address the problems faced by disabled people and take action to address the UN’s recommendations from 2016.

“Disabled people must be treated with dignity, respect and fairness. The recommendations made years ago must be addressed if the lives of disabled people are to improve,” she said.

Linda Burnip of DPAC said the campaign group was “naturally disappointed, but not surprised,” at lack of progress on the UN recommendations.

“Since 2016 the situation for disabled people has significantly worsened due to further austerity, the cost-of-living crisis, rocketing charging for social care provision and the outcomes following EU withdrawal and the pandemic,” she said.

“That is why a delegation from DPAC will be going to Geneva to present further evidence of the erosion of disabled people’s human rights later in August.”

A government spokesperson said that last month it launched a consultation on a Disability Action Plan as part of its “commitment to create a society that works for everyone.”