Fourth report: Unequal impact? Coronavirus, disability and access to services: full Report

The government response does not address the committee's comments on Mental Health Act, Care Act, or Children and Families Act provisions; instead, it discusses ensuring fair access to food in shops.

The government states it will ask disabled people about the impact of the coronavirus emergency and, if requested, will include a plan for fair food access in emergencies in the National Strategy for Disabled People.

The government states it has checked its efforts to ensure fair food access for disabled people, made some changes, and will continue to monitor and adjust, but does not commit to publicly stating the importance of reasonable adjustments or promoting EHRC guidance as recommended.

The government explicitly rejects the recommendation, stating that existing law is clear enough and a Code of Practice would not improve the situation regarding disabled people's access to food.

The government's response did not address the recommendation to publish an assessment of disabled people's food access needs or a plan for reviewing local support arrangements; instead, it discussed NHS health checks and mask wearing.

The government's response did not address the committee's conclusion regarding Care Act easements, instead discussing clear face masks and funding for social care, which relates to other recommendations.

The government's response did not address the committee's conclusion regarding discriminatory practices in DNARs and critical care guidelines, instead discussing social care funding.

The government's response did not address the recommendation for it to consent to a statutory Code of Practice on the Public Sector Equality Duty, instead focusing on social care funding.

The government response does not address the recommendation about setting targets for the reintroduction of annual health checks for people with learning disabilities, instead discussing a new plan for education for children with special educational needs.

The government's response discusses funding for special educational needs and disability (SEND) education, not addressing the recommendation regarding clear facemasks or the request for updates on their distribution and assessment of need.

The government states it will consider the committee's findings regarding the inadequacy of social care funding when developing the UK National Strategy for Disabled People.

The government's response discusses optional training for Ministers on communicating with disabled people, completely failing to address the recommendation for a comprehensive social care reform package addressing funding, workforce issues, and integration of services.

The government's response highlights its efforts to provide accessible information about Coronavirus and collaborate with disability organizations, but it does not address the committee's points on the Secretary of State's powers or guidance regarding children and young people's SEND needs.

The government's response discusses British Sign Language provision in the House of Commons, completely failing to address the recommendation on prioritizing and publishing the SEND review.

The government responded that it would 'think about looking at what happened during the Coronavirus emergency afterwards', a vague statement that did not specifically engage with the committee's welcome of the educational catch-up fund.

The government's response discusses the Equality Hub's work on making coronavirus information accessible, completely failing to address the recommendation for increased and ring-fenced catch-up funding for pupils with SEND or an additional strand of specialist provision.

The government acknowledges the importance of disabled people influencing policies and outlines existing engagement methods, stating they will consider this input for the UK National Strategy for Disabled People, but does not commit to new consultation mechanisms.

The government rejects the recommendation, stating that training for Ministers and officials is optional rather than a mandatory requirement.

The government states its desire for accessible information and its ongoing efforts to provide it in accessible ways, working with disability organizations, but does not commit to fully implementing the specific list of asks from RNID and other charities by the recommended deadline.

The government acknowledges the importance of accessible information and states that departments already have legal obligations under other laws, with guidance provided by the Equality Hub, but does not commit to extending the Accessible Information Standard as requested.

The government agrees with the recommendation for more British Sign Language provision in Parliament but defers responsibility to the House of Commons and its committees to develop and implement a plan.

The government defers a decision on establishing an independent inquiry into disproportionate coronavirus death rates among disabled people, stating it will consider the matter after the pandemic is under control.