The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has just announced a ‘Pathways to Work’ consultation event in the North East: scheduled for Thursday 26 June, only 8 days’ notice before the consultation closes (30 June). A North East consultation DWP 26 June! Where? We don’t know! Email events.pathwaystowork@dwp.gov.uk to register!
A Mixed Win: But Not the Whole Story
Yes, they’ve finally listened to one of the key demands we raised: holding a North East in-person event to hear from disabled people. That’s a win. But… there’s a big caveat. Look how it happened:
- Announced with only 4 days left before the consultation closes
- No venue revealed: you only get it after booking
It feels grossly ironic: especially since this came after we resigned from NE-RSN and publicly called them out. Was this last-minute move a genuine correction or a shadow play meant to maintain control?
North East consultation DWP 26 June! Why This Matters!
- Timing: Only 8 days’ notice leaves little time to prepare, especially under short-notice booking and unknown venue conditions.
- Overlap: Booking government and DDPO-led events on the same day, intentionally or not, creates a sense that the DWP hopes to overshadow our disabled people-led initiatives.
- Control: With no venue info and limited tickets, the consultation remains on their terms, not ours.
What We’re Doing
We’ve gone from tokens in their network to founders of our own table. This new event on 26 June is run by us, for us, with an agenda we set — and open to government and allies, on our terms.
🗓️ Deadline to register: 20 June
A Call
This government event shows they heard us! BUT it also shows how they want to own the conversation. Don’t let theirs drown out ours. Share this: tell people we’re leading the change. Because real consultation starts with us, for us and by us! Nothing about us without us!
