Use United Nations Rules to Protect Disabled People’s Rights, Says MP
Marsha De Cordova MP urges the UK Government to fully adopt international disability rights law as disabled people face rising poverty, social care charges, and energy costs.
Disabled people across the UK are facing rising living costs, deepening poverty, and growing social care debt. At a recent session of the House of Commons Petitions Committee, Member of Parliament Marsha De Cordova made a powerful call: the UK Government must fully adopt the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) to protect disabled people’s civil and human rights.
The committee session focused on two major public petitions, both driven by disabled people sharing their lived experiences of the cost of living crisis and gaps in government support.
Marsha De Cordova MP highlights how social care charges push disabled people into poverty and debt.
Speaking to the committee, Marsha De Cordova MP explained that many disabled people are being charged up to 40% of their social security income to pay for social care. This leaves people in deep poverty and forces impossible decisions between food, heating, medication, and essential support.
Research by the BBC has also found that more than 60,000 disabled people are now in social care debt, further entrenching inequality and insecurity.
Marsha De Cordova MP calls for the UK to fully adopt the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Why the UN Convention on Disability Rights Matters
Marsha De Cordova MP argued that the UK Government must go beyond piecemeal reforms and commit to a full legal incorporation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
The UNCRPD sets out disabled people’s rights to independent living, dignity, social protection, access to services, and full participation in society. Campaigners and disabled people’s organisations have long argued that embedding it into UK law would create stronger protections and accountability.
Disabled people are disproportionately affected by poverty and the rising cost of living.
Cost of Living Crisis Hits Disabled People Hardest
During the session, Marsha De Cordova MP shared stark figures showing how the cost of living crisis is disproportionately affecting disabled people:
- 93% of disabled respondents had reduced their energy use
- 76% were limiting transport
- 60% had reduced use of specialist equipment
- Over half had cut back on medication
These figures reveal the reality of daily trade-offs disabled people are being forced to make, not between luxuries, but between essential needs.
The Petitions Presented to Parliament
The House of Commons Petitions Committee was responding to two public petitions:
- Make people on disability benefits eligible for the £650 one-off payment
- Provide an energy grant to people with a disability or serious medical condition
Both petitions included hundreds of personal testimonies from disabled people describing how rising costs and inadequate support are affecting their health, independence, and dignity.
Watch: Parliament Debates Disability Rights and the Cost of Living
The video below shows the Petitions Committee discussion, including Marsha De Cordova MP’s speech and the issues raised by disabled campaigners.
Want to Fight for Disability Rights?
Disabled people deserve dignity, financial security, and real protection of our human rights. At Difference North East, we campaign for systemic change, and we do it together.
