DISABILITY rights activists demanded today they be heard by the new Labour government and presented a set of solutions to the crises faced by 16 million disabled people across Britain.

Campaigners from Disabled People Against Cuts (Dpac), Recovery In The Bin, Bromley & Croydon Unite Community and the Disability and Migrant Network gathered for the Disabled People Demand event outside Parliament.

Speakers included Dpac’s Paula Peters, Ben Sellers from the People’s Assembly and Labour MP John McDonnell. Music, art and poetry followed.

Bob Ellard, DPAC national Steering group member said the day was a challenge to the incoming government “who show no sign of showing us any more respect than that last Tory regime and have not heeded our calls to be included in policy planning about our community.

“This is not acceptable to us. Disabled people will continue to hold Labour to account in the same way we have had to in 14 years of Tory governments.”

The coalition of activists is also asking the new government to “triple lock” annual benefit rate increases, introduce a requirement for all new build homes to be accessible, and a legal right to independent living with a national independent living service.