Lib Dems restate support for EDCM

At the Liberal Democrat conference on Monday 17th September, shadow Ministers Danny Alexander MP and Annette Brooke MP restated their support for the EDCM campaign objective of rights and justice for every disabled child. At the EDCM fringe meeting last night, Trevor Phillips, chair of the new Commission on Equality and Human Rights, described disabled children as a 'canary indicator' to show how far our society has progressed towards equality and respect for difference.

Speaking from the platform at the meeting, Danny Alexander stated that disabled children need to be at the centre of efforts to tackle poverty and inequality. Responding to the EDCM campaign briefing, Disabled children and child poverty, Danny Alexander announced a range of policy proposals which would improve the life chances of families with disabled children, contained in the party's policy paper 'Freedom from Poverty, Opportunity for All' was debated by Conference on Tuesday 18th September.

The Liberal Democrat policy proposals include:

• A new £1.5 billion Pupil Premium to deliver extra help to disadvantaged children in schools - which will include disabled children
• A review of the level of Carers Allowance
• A benefits adequacy review once every Parliament

Responding to Brian Lamb OBE, who was speaking for EDCM, Danny Alexander pledged his support for the key EDCM child poverty recommendation for a take-up campaign on Disability Living Allowance. He also supported a stronger right for parents and carers with disabled children to work flexibility, another EDCM recommendation. This commitment is scheduled to be added to the policy paper at today's debate, thanks to an amendment tabled by Lorely Burt MP.

Earlier in the day, EDCM met with the Liberal Democrat shadow children's Ministers in the Commons and the Lords, Annette Brooke and Baroness Walmsley. At the meetings, EDCM argued for a commitment to a right to short breaks for parents and carers of severely disabled children to be included in the next Liberal Democrat manifesto. EDCM will provide more detailed proposals for further consideration.

Steve Broach, EDCM Campaign Manager, comments: "EDCM remains grateful for the support of leading Liberal Democrats such as Danny Alexander and Annette Brooke for helping keep disabled children high on the political agenda. The party's policy paper on poverty and inequality contains measures that would make a real positive impact on families with disabled children. We are delighted that Danny Alexander recognises the need for a targeted take-up campaign on Disability Living Allowance, and we will look to work with him when Parliament returns to put pressure on government Ministers to see this happen'.

This event was repeated at both Labour and Conservative Party Conferences.