Aspire were invited by the Labour Party to their Fresh Ideas event on Friday 25th March. Our Chief Executive Brian Carlin and Policy and Research Officer Krupesh Hirani travelled to Nottingham and spoke with members of the Shadow Cabinet on a range of issues that affect people who have been paralysed by spinal cord injury. 

Aspire spoke to Shadow Minister for Disabled People Margaret Curran MP, pictured with Aspire Chief Executive Brian Carlin, about our concerns on some of the changes that are proposed in the Disability Living Allowance reforms.

We also spoke to Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Ivan Lewis MP about sport and opportunity and the work that Aspire is doing to increase participation of disabled people in sport and leisure activity.

We spoke to Shadow Minister for Housing, Alison Seabeck MP and raised the issue of the Disabled Facilities Grant and the problems people have in finding adequate housing when they are due to be discharged from hospital following a spinal cord injury. 

Krupesh said, “It was great to see the Shadow Cabinet open up to the public and that they seemed receptive to our concerns and interested in the work that Aspire do. I hope they really do take on board some of the issues we raised at the event.”

Brian added, “It’s crucial that disability charities engage with the Government and Opposition so that disabled people are involved and at the forefront of thought when it comes to shaping policy.”