Labour’s response to questions from the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) argues that both the current Mental Health Act and the Mental Health Bill are compatible with the Convention. Disability advocates quoted in the analysis say this shows little appetite for change or understanding of lived experience.
By Charli Clement – The Canary
The article highlights that proposals to limit detention of autistic people and people with learning disabilities to cases with a co-occurring psychiatric disorder risk shifting problems rather than solving them. It says there is no clear plan or funding for the “strong community provision” repeatedly cited by ministers. At present, 2,010 autistic and learning-disabled people are in mental health hospitals in England, with average stays for autistic people exceeding 4.7 years.
It also notes concerns from Parliament’s Joint Committee on Human Rights about insufficient collaboration with people with lived experience, weak safeguards around deprivation of liberty, and the reality that so-called “voluntary” admissions can feel coercive. Overall, the piece concludes the government’s response offers little reassurance on dignity, rights, or practical delivery.
