AN SNP MP has described the UK Government’s failure to appoint a new disabilities minister two weeks after the post became vacant as a “shameful indictment” of Theresa May’s regime.
In an urgent question in the Commons on supporting disabled people to work, MPs asked why May has not replaced former disabilities minister Sarah Newton, who quit over Brexit a fortnight ago.
The SNP’s Neil Gray said the continuing vacancy was evidence of a government “completely ignoring the day job” because it is “consumed” by Brexit.
READ MORE: Time for Scotland to break free from anachronism that is Westminster
He said: “The fact the PM has not even bothered to replace the minister for disabled people in nearly two weeks is a shameful indictment of a Tory government that has collapsed into crisis and chaos.
“They are so consumed with their Brexit folly they are completely ignoring the day job and it is costing the country dearly. It just adds insult to injury to the disabled people who have been left unrepresented and impoverished by Tory policies.”
In total, four ministerial posts and 11 ministerial aide roles remain unfilled. This follows 39 resignations from the Government since the 2017 election – including the resignation of 17 ministers over Brexit since June 2018.
Shadow disabilities minister Marsha de Cordova said a new disabilities minister was needed to urgently deal with a “damning report” from the National Audit Office about the “stagnant” number of disabled people out of work.
“The report found the number of disabled people out of work has remained stagnant at 3.7 million for the last five years,” De Cordova said.
“It has been two weeks since there was a minister for disabled people – when will one be appointed?”
Work and Pensions Minister Justin Tomlinson was unable to name a new minister. He said: “I’m very happy to be here today and I am very passionate about this role.”
Conservative Sir Mike Penning said: “I would say to the front bench, and hopefully the Prime Minister is listening, we should have a minister as soon as possible for this role.
“I do not understand why that hasn’t taken place.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here