Disability Equality Champion

Gareth Roberts AM moved, and Hina Bokhari OBE AM seconded the following motion:

“This Assembly notes:

• That on 5th September 2024, this Assembly unanimously passed a motion calling for the appointment of a dedicated Disability Equality Champion for London.
• Despite this full cross-party support, the Mayor has declined to implement the recommendation, citing the portfolio of the Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice.
• Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs) across London have consistently reiterated their demand for a distinct and high-level post focused solely on disability justice, independent from wider equalities portfolios.
• The 1.2 million Disabled Londoners continue to experience persistent barriers to full participation in city life, which require targeted leadership informed by lived experience.
• That appointing a Disability Equality Champion is a necessary step not only toward visibility and inclusion, but to deliver systemic change with real accountability.

This Assembly therefore calls on the Mayor to:

• Appoint a Disability Equality Champion at a senior level, ensuring the role carries genuine authority to shape strategy and policy across the Greater London Authority (GLA) Group.
• Ensure the postholder has lived experience of disability, and that they are fully supported with the resources needed to engage meaningfully with stakeholders and influence policy development.
• Provide for direct accountability to the London Assembly, including quarterly appearances at Assembly meetings and formal scrutiny sessions, to guarantee transparency and ensure measurable progress.
• Task the Champion with leading co-production efforts alongside DPOs to deliver a London Disability Action Plan within six months of appointment. This plan should include specific, measurable objectives and a published framework for monitoring delivery.
• Demonstrate London’s leadership in social justice by ensuring this role drives cultural and institutional change, putting Disabled Londoners at the centre of decision-making and design at City Hall.” 

Following debate, and upon being put to a vote, this motion was agreed with 12 votes for and 0 against.