Blaydon MP Liz Twist has attacked the Government over a "failure" to properly communicate with disabled people during the pandemic - and urged ministers to ensure that in the future public health information is reaching those with disabilities.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Ms Twist specifically questioned whether ministers would now do more to improve communications - especially to reach those with learning disabilities. Throughout the pandemic, research showed how people with disabilities were both more likely to die due to Covid and more likely to report the lockdowns having had a significant and detrimental impact on their lives.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed that between January and November 2020, people with disabilities accounted for 6 out of every 10 deaths (59.5%) involving Covid-19. The Health Foundation also found that disabled people were more likely to see vital medical treatment disrupted by Covid.
