This week I was very proud as the Minister for Disabled People to formally launch the National Disability Strategy.
This was a genuinely transformational, cross-government strategy – setting out over 100 commitments of how we can collectively remove barriers in society to help deliver a fully inclusive society. Each and every corner of government sets out plans and priorities to improve disabled people’s lives, with the most wide-ranging set of practical actions to date - spanning housing, transport and public services, to leisure, rights and perceptions.
This strategy will be updated annually, empowering disabled people, disabled people’s organisations and the health & disability charities to help co-produce future priorities and strategies.
I was also delighted that Becky Maddern, an inspirational Swindon parent was highlighted in the strategy. I have written previously about through her work to support her son Benjamin; she has campaigned for accessible play-equipment. We joined forces, and convinced Minister Luke Hall to write to every Local Authority to highlight the campaign, with further worked planned to strengthen guidance.
On Monday, Becky and her family joined me for filming at the King George V playground in Haydon Wick, recently adapted by Haydon Wick Parish Council. Then on Tuesday Becky was invited to a private, virtual roundtable to share how the National Strategy would help her campaign. When joining the meeting she was greeted by the PM and I was thrilled that her discussion with the PM was highlighted in our promotional videos and media work yesterday.
Becky has stepped up and made a difference, not just to Benjamin, but families across the UK. This runs throughout the National Strategy. Collectively, the Government, Local Authorities, organisation and every member of the public can play their part. To me it is summed up by the many young disabled people I speak to, who when asked what is their one ask? It is nearly always, ‘I want the same opportunities that my friends take for granted’ – no-one can disagree with that!
Finally, with the final car rolling off the production line at Honda this week, it is truly is an end of an area. Many of my friends work at Honda and it has been a real mix of emotions. Many years of work, long-standing relationships with work colleagues – often described as their ‘Honda family’ – so understandably much trepidation of what the future holds. However, to the credit of Honda, the significant advance notice (two years) has allowed the workers to prepare, exploring options, formalising training and skills and thankfully for many new opportunities await.
As we look to the future, it is no surprise that Panattoni chose the Honda site for their planned £700m investment. Swindon Borough Council to their credit made it crystal clear Swindon ‘was open for business’, with the site prime employment land, with fantastic transport links and crucially Swindon’s diverse, well-skilled and hardworking workforce is attractive to new and expanding existing employers. Plans for the site are taking shape, but crucially it will be a mix of manufacturing, head-offices (administration) and business units – a fully developed site could and should offer greater numbers of jobs than even at Honda’s peak.
Swindon has had many ups and downs over the years, but collectively Swindon has always bounced back stronger – we will all do what we can to make sure that is the case again.
