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Meeting held on 11 November 2025: summary and actions (HTML)

Updated 18 February 2026

Meeting summaries outline topics discussed by the Minister for Social Security and Disability and the Disability Unit Regional Stakeholder Network Chairs. These summaries do not reflect UK government policy unless specifically stated.

Attendees

• Minister for Social Security and Disability, Rt Hon Sir Stephen Timms MP

RSN chairs

• Sam Everard (South West)
• Marc Goblot (Greater London)
• Ali Gunn (North West)
• Graham Hale (Yorkshire and the Humber – deputy)
• Louise Mckiernan MBE (West Midlands)
• Elspeth McPherson (North East)
• Chloe Plummer (South East)
• Anne Wafula Strike MBE (East of England)

Also in attendance

• David Bateman, Head of Stakeholder Engagement, Disability Unit (DU),Cabinet Office
• other officials from DU, Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Department for Transport (DfT)

Apologies

• Karen Hoe OBE (Yorkshire and the Humber)
• Justin Donne (East Midlands)

Updates from the minister

Minister Timms welcomed the RSN chairs and thanked them for their insight on the assistive and accessible technology (ATech) theme provided in the last meeting (2 June) and in the detailed written feedback afterwards. This was very useful and was also sent to DWP officials.

Minister Timms then provided the RSN chairs with updates on some key work happening currently.

As announced in July 2025, we are working with the government’s Lead Ministers for Disability (one in each department), to develop a ‘Plan for Disability’. This will set out what this government is aiming to achieve for disabled people in the longer term and next steps. It will also showcase work already underway across government departments to champion the rights of disabled people. We are in early stages, but will keep the RSN chairs informed as it takes shape.

On 5 November 2025, DWP published a press notice in relation to the next steps of the Keep Britain Working Review and the final report. Sir Charlie Mayfield has considered the vital role employers can play in tackling health based economic inactivity and promoting healthy and inclusive workplaces. He will now co-lead a vanguard taskforce with ministers, bringing together employers, disabled people, workers’ representatives, and health experts. The taskforce will work with more than 60 employers to try out new ideas to see what works best. This will inform wider reform by identifying what approaches could be taken forward.

The independent Disability Advisory Panel was announced in the Get Britain Working White Paper last year. Disability rights expert and consultant Zara Todd was appointed as the chair of the panel on 21 August. Panel member applications have closed and we received over 300 applications. Thank you to anyone who took the time to apply. We will now work with Zara Todd to select the membership, and we expect applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by the end of November.

The expression of interest for the Timms Review of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) was published on 30 October, and will close on 30 November. RSN chairs are encouraged to share this with their networks so those interested could apply. The review will be led by a steering group of 12 people, plus 3 co-chairs (Sharon Brennan, Dr Clenton Farquharson CBE and Minister Timms). The review will be co-produced with disabled people, the organisations that represent them, and other experts. To ensure lived experience is at the heart of its work, the majority of the steering group will be disabled or representatives of disabled people’s organisations. The steering group will facilitate a programme of participation that brings together the full range of views and voices. It will report to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions by autumn 2026. 

Following 47,500 responses, we published our response to the Pathways to Work Green Paper consultation on 30 October 2025. We’re considering feedback on these proposals as we develop them further. As such, we are not publishing a comprehensive white paper at this stage but will instead be pushing on with our reforms. However, the government has committed that any changes to PIP eligibility will not be explored until the Timms Review concludes. In the meantime we have already made significant progress bringing forward proposals to transform the support we offer. We’ve published draft regulations on our Right to Try guarantee, which will give disabled people the confidence to try work and, in July, the Universal Credit Act provided for the first ever sustained rise in the standard allowance of Universal Credit which will take effect in April 2026. We have also put in place the equivalent of over 1,000 full-time Pathways to Work advisers, offering tailored support to support people into work across Britain and we have begun testing our new support conversation, receiving positive responses so far. 

Anne (East of England) commented that it is good to see that organisations that represent disabled people are engaging with Minister Timms, as some previously felt unheard. Minister Timms said that he had talked to lots of organisations over the summer about how to shape the Timms Review and it was agreed that co-production was the best approach.

Thematic discussion: feedback from RSN regions on transport

RSN chairs’ meetings with Minister Timms are based upon specific themes. The theme for this meeting was agreed in advance as transport. Minister Timms thanked the DfT official from the Accessible Travel Policy Division for attending. 

Minister Timms said that he knows that DfT’s current focus is on responding to the Transport Select Committee’s recent report on accessibility. They are progressing a number of key actions, including, for example, the development of an Accessible Travel Charter. There are also other recent milestones, including:

• the Bus Services Act 2025, which sets clear expectations for accessible bus stops and infrastructure
• the completion of the Aviation Accessibility Taskforce’s work, with industry now taking forward its recommendations
• the recent publication of the Rail Accessibility Roadmap, which sets out clear actions already underway

Minister Timms asked the chairs to share a short summary of feedback from their regions and members on the transport theme. Along with DfT, DU officials also attended to hear and capture this feedback. RSN chairs will send detailed feedback to DU after this meeting.

RSN South East (provided by email)

Issues around bus pass restrictions. Wheelchair spaces on buses are often being used by pushchairs, so drivers are refusing to allow disabled people to board. Inaccessibility of electric vehicle (EV) charging points. The eligibility for Blue Badges has increased but there aren’t enough Blue Badge parking spaces. Issues with air travel in terms of guide dogs and loss of essential aids. Other European countries are doing far better in terms of transport accessibility.

RSN West Midlands

Works closely with the West Midlands Combined Authority, with RSN members who work for them. Contributed to work in the region including the Exemplary Region report, the Access Denied: Rights Versus Reality in Disabled People’s Access to Transport report and the Local Transport Plan. Buses have long wait times, overcrowding with pushchairs in wheelchair spaces and unsafe ramps for wheelchair users to get on and off. Issues with cars parking on pavements, making it hard for people getting on buses. Rail stations are not fully accessible (inaccessible signage and issues for the deaf and hard of hearing with audio announcement), along with overcrowding on both platforms and carriages making it hard to get on. Wheelchair navigation is difficult as trains have narrow corridors and disabled toilets can be too small. Last-minute platform alterations or cancellations leave people stranded. Concerns about limited space on trams for wheelchairs and unreliable lifts at stations. Issues with taxis. Growing concern regarding safety on all transport modes, which appears more common in the evenings (aggressive behaviour, fare evasion disputes, and hate crime).

RSN Greater London

Concerns about street level barriers, with rental e-bikes often abandoned on pavements, creating hazards and little accountability for the operators. Need for accessible bus stops, with danger for passengers alighting directly into cycle lanes. Affordability of travel. Complex process for the Freedom Pass with long wait times. Anxiety surrounding Motability (negative media portrayals, misinformation, and rumours of cuts). Lack of standardised Blue Badge policies across boroughs, which is confusing for both residents and visitors. This inconsistency extends to Ultra Low Emission Zone and private car parks (for example, supermarkets), where operators often issue fines regardless of Blue Badges. Maintenance is a major issue, with lifts and accessible facilities out of order for extended periods. Lots of well-intentioned schemes designed for climate change, like pedestrianised zones, but a lack of co-design means they rarely consider unintended consequences like drop off points for disabled people who need to use a car to get to those locations. Less and less accessible taxis. No sense of liability if there is an accident involving a disabled person. Lack of staff training is also a huge problem.

RSN South West

Infrastructure inconsistencies, such as with bus stops, varying kerb heights, and a lack of drop kerbs at opposite sides of the roads for wheelchair users. The installation of EV charging points and delivery lockers is reducing the Blue Badge spaces. Bus services in rural areas like West Dorset have been cut significantly, and the restrictions preventing pass use before 9.30am continue to hinder those trying to get to work. Blue Badges expire on the same date as PIP – delays in PIP assessments are causing people to lose their Blue Badges while waiting for reassessments. Gave example of a supermarket issuing parking fines for those with Blue Badges who stay over an hour. Safety risks for the visually impaired getting off buses due to cycle lanes on pavements. Rail stations with unclear tannoy announcements and signage placed too high for wheelchair users.

RSN East of England

Journey inconsistency – travel in the morning might be supported by staff, whereas the return in the evening often lacks support as stations have less staff. Physical and communication accessibility issues for those with hidden disabilities. Disparity between rural and city living – in rural areas bus stops are often too far to walk to, forcing reliance on expensive taxis. Hospital transport needs improvement, as public transport routes are often not viable and taxis too costly. Concern that the infrastructure is not yet ready for the transition to EVs, along with inaccessible charging points and the price point being out of reach for many disabled families. Perception that Motability users are being ‘forced’ into EVs despite these challenges. Issues for parents with school transport. Bus stop infrastructure issues, with no shelter. Law needs to be looked at around the danger of e-scooters and e-bikes travelling at high speeds for pedestrians, with accidents cited. The regional Tiger bus pass should be looked at as an initiative to offer reduced price travel. Staff disability awareness training should be mandatory and annually reviewed as the world is changing fast. Disabled people should be involved in the early formation of transport policies.

RSN North West

The region has active members who are campaigners on transport. Rail travel remains a significant challenge, with many stations still lacking step-free access and questions raised about the effectiveness of Network Rail’s funding and slow progress. The Bee Network in Greater Manchester is a model of good practice co-production with disabled people, which resulted in features like dual wheelchair bays and clear signage. Liverpool has delivered an accessible metro train system under budget, while Manchester’s trams still pose difficulties for wheelchair users and people with visual impairments. Warrington’s electric bus fleet was designed with disabled residents. Blackpool is also a model of good practice where transport and communications are co-designed with disabled people. Co-production with disabled people gets you real success. Issues with pavement parking and uneven surfaces. Inconsistent Blue Badge rules across councils. Accessibility of EV charging points. Safety is a growing concern, with public transport identified as a common setting for hate crime and hostility. 

RSN Yorkshire and the Humber

Rail network inaccessible with lack of step-free access, lifts broken for months, and Changing Places toilets used for storage. Lack of staff training (especially around mental health) and staff availability reduced at stations. Too many travel apps, which are often complicated and inaccessible. ‘Range anxiety’ for converted wheelchair-accessible EVs, making them impractical for many. Blue Badge criteria needs to be looked at and shortage of disabled parking bays with EV charging taking over. Hospital transport has been cut back or is inflexible (such as requiring a 7am pickup for a 3pm appointment), so people are pushed to expensive taxis. Less wheelchair accessible taxis as they have been encouraged to go EV but are too expensive to convert. Conflict on buses between pushchairs and wheelchairs persists – drivers need more power to enforce priority for disabled passengers. Need for the abolition of the 9.30am bus pass restriction to support employees. Strong need for legislation to stop pavement parking. Issues for parents with school transport and school parent disabled parking.

RSN North East

A safeguarding risk has been identified with taxis, particularly with overseas drivers, as difficulties in obtaining equivalent background checks to the UK’s DBS create a serious risk, exemplified by a driver simultaneously transporting a vulnerable adult and a school child. Smaller market towns face issues with unenforceable “advisory” disabled parking bays being misused. Existing Blue Badge parking spaces are being lost to accommodate new EV charging points. Protected spaces for EV charging with facilities needed for Blue Badge holders, and for hospital and community transport. Community transport is relied on a lot in the region for accessing things like medical appointments and daycare services and the transition to EVs is a ‘ticking time bomb’ with funding cuts, with the cost of an accessible electric minibus being over £96,000. Lack of rural EV charging points and in the summer popular areas have EV points blocked up by holiday makers. More Blue Badge hospital parking needed as people can’t get to appointments.

RSN East Midlands (provided by email)

Concessionary pass restrictions should be lifted – assuming disabled people have no meaningful activities before 9.30am or after 11pm feels discriminatory (they may have a job, medical appointment, social or work events). The cost of living is already roughly £1,000 higher for disabled people, so having a job doesn’t help pay for morning travel, and organisations have said it limits them being able to have disabled volunteers because they can’t travel in the morning. Now harder to get a Concessionary pass, with eligibility becoming more difficult and some councils adding their own arbitrary criteria. Inconsistency of modes of transport included on the pass – all public transport should be included. Accessibility inconsistency at airports (UK and abroad) and with rail travel. The Eurostar in London has restrictive times for travel assistance availability, forcing disabled people to travel during more expensive times.

Conclusion

Minister Timms thanked the RSN chairs for their insightful feedback on the transport theme and looks forward to seeing their further detailed written feedback, which they will send via the DU to be circulated to him and DfT officials. He also noted that minutes will be published on GOV.UK in alternative formats in due course. Minister Timms thanked the DfT official for attending and asked for his final thoughts. 

The DfT official thanked the RSN chairs for their collective feedback and acknowledged the value of the specific local insight provided. He said that DfT is aware of many of the issues raised and has been working on many of these things. He pointed to the Bus Services Act, which includes powers to issue guidance on infrastructure that could help address concerns on issues like ‘floating bus stops’. He referenced the Rail Accessibility Roadmap, which includes baseline targets and sets out the government’s ambition to improve rail accessibility. He mentioned future work on an Accessibility Charter, designed to clarify both the duties of operators and the expectations for passengers. He thanked the RSN for their valuable feedback, noting that it really helps to identify where things are working to amplify work, like the Bee Network, and where gaps remain. He said that the RSN will be a good network for DfT to engage with in the future.

Next theme

Minister Timms confirmed that the next theme will be special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and noted that there will be an upcoming SEND white paper. The meeting date will be agreed for early 2026 and invites will then be sent out from the minister’s office.

Any other business

Minister Timms acknowledged that chairs have mentioned that they would like to have feedback about the impact of the RSN and the valuable insight provided. DU are exploring ideas for an RSN annual activity update, and will update the chairs at their monthly meeting (26 November).

Minister Timms closed by thanking the RSN chairs and their regional members.

Actions

1. RSN Chairs to send to DU transport detailed feedback.

2. DU and minister’s office to agree the early 2026 meeting date on the SEND theme and to send the invite out.