Tom Clonan (Independent)

I raise the appalling vista last week in Washington DC, where 34 disabled protestors were arrested by Capitol Hill police. Many of these wheelchair users were manhandled, handcuffed and zip tied as they protested against cuts proposed by Trump's Congress to the Medicaid programme, which would affect disabled American citizens. Disabled citizens being manhandled and having their hands tied in that way by Capitol police shows an extraordinary contempt for the most vulnerable in our society.Let there be no doubt that there is a growing awareness internationally that there should be zero tolerance for any kind of targeting or discrimination against disabled citizens, as a category of citizen. In that regard, last week British Prime Minister Starmer effected a U-turn in Westminster on proposed cuts to disability payments because of a threatened rebellion by 120 Labour MPs who were refusing to vote for cuts or for any measures that would be inimical to the interests of disabled citizens.

There is a growing awareness, not just in Washington and Westminster but also here, of the absolutely compelling nature of the desire for autonomous, fulfilled and happy lives on behalf of disabled citizens. I was moved and struck by the comments made by the Ceannaire last week during the statements on nursing homes, when he spoke about his own personal circumstances and his desire that he would at some point like to live an independent and dignified life with supports, preferably in his own home. That gets to the crux of it. The Private Members' Bill I introduced last week, where I progressed the Disability (Personalised Budgets) Bill to Second Stage was, unfortunately, time amended on an instruction from Cabinet. I appreciated the statements of support from all sides of the House and from the disability spokespersons on this side of the House. I know they are motivated to support me in this because it benefits all of us: you, me, my son and this huge cohort of citizens. I do not know if there is a precedent for this. The Minister gave a commitment that she would review the pilot programme on personalised disability statements in December. I ask for a debate to be scheduled on this personalised budgets matter for when we reconvene early next year, so the disability spokespersons on all sides of the House can hold the Minister to account to make sure we progress this matter in the lifetime of this Government.