Welcome to Diversity Lens.

The government is discovering a record number of disabled people who were wrongfully denied the disability benefit. Last year, the welfare benefit that is intended to help adults with a disability or long-term health condition, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), overturned nearly 80,000 personal decisions at the initial review stage. While the DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) complete mandatory reconsiderations - which could take months - those affected could be stuck without the support they are owed.

One anonymous woman who suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome, PTSD, and depression applied for a mandatory reconsideration after losing PIP support in November last year and is yet to receive a response. After being on disability benefits since 1996, she received an "unexpected letter" from the DWP in 2021 requesting another assessment, conducted over the phone.

New proposed plans are set to disqualify students from student loans if they do not have English and maths GSCEs, or two A-levels at grade E. The intention here is to restrict students attending university if it is not likely it will lead to a career. Controversy has immediately followed with claims this will “turn the clock back” on access to higher education, particularly effecting those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

One of the largest LGBTIQA+ global inclusion conference in education, Pride in Education, was established in June 2020 to respond to the British Government's cuts in anti HBT (Homophobic, Biphobic and Transphobic). Pride in Education wants to make sure that everyone who works in education is welcome and celebrated.

Contributions are now open for the June 2022 conference. Please submit a proposal for a presentation on June 25th. Submission deadline is Friday, 11th March 2022. Find out more about past conferences here.