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• Experts will advise Government on key regional disability issues
• Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Tom Pursglove MP says: 鈥淭he Network is already doing brilliant work on the ground, and I strongly encourage individuals with the right skills and experiences to apply鈥�
• Announcement follows the Disability Action Plan consultation, which asked disabled people to share their views on immediate actions to improve their lives

The Government鈥檚 Disability Unit is recruiting disability experts in the North West and Yorkshire and the Humber to be chairs of its Regional Stakeholder Network.

Established in 2020, each branch of the Network advocates for the voices of disabled people and disability organisations in their regions, gathering insight to advise the Government on key issues such as housing, discrimination and employment.聽聽聽

Previous chairs have been involved in wider government policy, such as shaping the UK Government鈥檚 COVID response for disabled people, and inputting into the accessibility of HRH King Charles III鈥檚 coronation.

The new chair for the North West will join a proactive network, assuming the role of former chair Lynne Turnbull, CEO of Disability Positive and interim chair Michele Scattergood.聽

Building on the success of previous interim chair Joanne Wilkes-Waterworth and current interim chair Mark Taylor, the new chair for Yorkshire and the Humber will continue to increase engagement and amplify the voices of disabled people.

Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Tom Pursglove MP, said:

鈥淟istening to disabled people and their organisations is key to tackling the issues affecting them. We know that disabled people across the country face very different challenges. The Regional Stakeholder Network enables us to support people in their local areas, and across the country.

鈥淭he Network is already doing brilliant work on the ground, and I strongly encourage individuals with the right skills and experiences to apply and make a real difference to people in their local area. By working together, we will put an end to the barriers facing people鈥檚 everyday lives.鈥�

Today鈥檚 announcement follows the close of the Disability Action Plan consultation. The fully accessible 12 week consultation asked disabled people across the country to share their views on proposed actions to immediately improve disabled people鈥檚 lives. Part of this Government鈥檚 commitment to create a society that works for everyone, the Plan also sits alongside the National Disability Strategy, which takes a long term look at how we can all work together to create a society that works for everyone.

If you are interested in becoming a member of your local Regional Stakeholder Network, please contact your local regional chair, and read through the information pack. You should be interested in the issues facing people with disabilities but you do not have to be a disabled person to become a member.

Notes to editors:

The chairs already appointed are: