Who Speaks for Disabled Workers? Legislative Activity at Westminster

• In Event: Pitied but Ignored? Discrimination Toward Disabled People in Politics and Policy

Abstract

In 2017, the UK’s Equality and Human Rights Commission reported significant pay gaps for three of the United Kingdom’s protected groups: women, disabled workers, and Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic (BAME) workers. This is not the first report to demonstrate wage gaps for all three groups, yet the United Kingdom has addressed the wage group for just one: women. Why is that the case? In this paper, I explore whether, how, and by whom the issue of disability and racial wage gaps is being discussed by members of parliament in the United Kingdom. I postulate that while gender pay equity is on the political agenda, disability equity and racial equity are not. I test this by analyzing Westminster speeches, debates, and questions regarding equal pay, looking for patterns in who speaks for whom. The fundamental question is this: on the issue of equal pay, who advocates for the disabled and/or minorities in Parliament?

Author

• Amy L. Atchison, Valparaiso University