Assembly puts pressure on the Mayor to appoint a Disability Equality Champion

On 5 September 2024, the London Assembly unanimously agreed a motion calling for the appointment of a dedicated Disability Equality Champion for London.

To date, the Mayor has declined to implement the post, despite Disabled People’s Organisations across London reiterating demand for a high-level post focused solely on disability justice.

Today, the Assembly has again called 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.

Gareth Roberts AM, who proposed the motion, said:

“Today, we are once again calling on the Mayor to appoint a dedicated Disability Equality Champion at City Hall.

"Disabled Londoners should not have to keep asking for the representation and leadership they deserve. The message from Disabled People’s Organisations is clear: existing arrangements are not enough. We need a dedicated, senior leader with lived experience of disability to drive progress forward.

“This isn’t about adding more layers of bureaucracy, it’s about ensuring the voices of Disabled Londoners are embedded in policymaking from the start, not brought in at the end as an afterthought.

“The Mayor already has the power to make this happen. He had the full backing of the Assembly, the evidence from campaigners, and the support of the community. This is a simple step that would make a powerful difference and we urge him to get on with it.”

The full text of the motion is:

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.

The meeting can be viewed via webcast or YouTube.

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