Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by John Barrett (Liberal Democrat). It was answered by Michael Jabez Foster (Labour) on Thursday, 22 October 2009 on behalf of the Women and Equalities.

Equality and Human Rights Commission

Question: What research the Equality and Human Rights Commission has undertaken to assess the effect of the recession on the level of funding available for the support of disabled people.

Answer: In June, the Equality and Human Rights Commission, the Department for Work and Pensions and the Government Equalities Office jointly published research that examined the impact of the recession on disability, age, gender and ethnic minorities. The report found that over the 12 months since its publication, the employment rate for disabled people fell slightly, from 48 per cent. to 47.7 per cent., which was less than the fall from 74.7 per cent. to 73.5 per cent. in the overall population.

Secondary information