Last Updated on December 15, 2023

Mims Davies has been appointed the new Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, previously held by Tom Pursglove as Minister of State.

Government has been subject to scrutiny since the announcement, accused of 'downgrading' the role. Mims Davies has taken on the role within the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), but remains a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State. This the lowest of three tiers of Government minister and immediately junior to a Minister of State.

In response to the appointment of a new Minister for Disabled People, Dr Rhidian Hughes, Chief Executive at the Voluntary Organisations Disability Group, said, 'Despite the conflicting reports and confirmations of the day, we are pleased that Mims Davies has been appointed as Minister for Disabled People; although the delay and confusion around this appointment missed an opportunity to demonstrate that disability is a genuine priority for them.

'Given the many challenges being faced by disabled people, including a cost-of-living crisis, the loss of essential services due to funding cuts and incoming changes to benefit and employment support, reappointing a Minister with a focus on disability is the right thing to do.

'There is a great deal to do to ensure the rights and experiences of disabled people are at the heart of policy making and the ableism and intersectional challenges faced by disabled people during the pandemic is not repeated.

‘We look forward to working alongside disabled people and the organisations that support them to help the new Minister affect swift and positive changes that support disabled people to live the lives they choose.'

In other news, new analysis from Alzheimer’s Research UK, has confirmed that dementia continues to be the UK’s leading cause of death.