Mayor's disability action plan leaves 1.2 million Londoners still facing barriers
The plan, unveiled on 14 September at City Hall, pledges new transport, safety and housing measures but critics say it lacks ambition and funding.
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The Greater London Authority introduced its first Disability Action Plan on 14 September 2026, according to MyLondon. The mayor’s office said the programme will address transport access, emergency evacuation, housing suitability and financial advice for the capital’s 1.2 million Deaf and Disabled residents.
Why the plan matters for Barnet residents
Mayor announces £15.6m fund to improve safety of women and girls on London streets
The money will be managed by City Hall, MOPAC and TfL and is part of a £37m strategy to curb violence against women and girls across the capital.
Research cited in the plan shows households with a disabled family member experience poverty levels that are 31 percent higher than those without a disability. In 2024, only 59 percent of disabled Londoners were employed, compared with 80 percent of non‑disabled people, highlighting a persistent economic gap that also affects Barnet communities.
The action plan commits boroughs and developers to deliver more accessible housing and to simplify claims for financial entitlements. It also promises to make disability concessions on Transport for London services clearer and to improve advice provision for disabled claimants, according to Deputy Mayor for Communities Debbie Bernard‑Weekes.
"Ultimately, the Mayor's plan is completely lacking the scale of ambition, transformation and investment needed to even make a dent in the barriers disabled Londoners face,"
Hina Bokhari, Liberal Democrat Assembly member
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Inclusion London chief executive Tracey Lazard welcomed the plan as a strategically important step but noted that not every community suggestion was included. She said the focus must now shift to full implementation and monitoring of the outlined measures.
Transport concerns such as floating bus stops were not addressed in the document, despite Assistant Director of Communities Tom Rahilly telling the London Assembly in July that the issue had been raised. Campaigners have warned that such stops could endanger cyclists and vulnerable pedestrians.
The Metropolitan Police disclosed that 2,245 disability‑hate crimes were recorded between 2022 and 2026. The force will work with the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime disability co‑production group to streamline reporting and improve victim support, as reported by MyLondon.
The mayor’s office will also collaborate with the London Fire Brigade to create safe evacuation routes in all buildings. While the mayor declined to appoint a dedicated Disability Champion, a "lived experience co‑chair" will be added to support the Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice, Debbie Bernard‑Weekes.
Progress on each commitment will be tracked and quarterly updates will be presented to a disability engagement forum. The GLA said it will publish data online to allow residents, including those in Barnet, to verify how the plan is being delivered.
Questions this report answers
+How many disability‑hate incidents were recorded by the Met Police between 2022 and 2026?
The Metropolitan Police recorded 2,245 incidents of disability‑hate crime over that four‑year period. The figure is part of the evidence used to justify new safety measures in the mayor’s action plan, including better reporting procedures and victim support.
+What proportion of disabled Londoners were in work in 2024 compared with non‑disabled Londoners?
In 2024, 59 percent of disabled Londoners were employed, while 80 percent of non‑disabled Londoners held jobs. The gap underscores the economic challenges the action plan aims to address through employment support and accessible workplace initiatives.
+What does the action plan promise for housing accessibility?
The plan obliges boroughs and developers to increase the supply of accessible housing and to ensure existing homes meet disability standards. It also calls for clearer guidance on claiming financial support for housing adaptations, which should benefit disabled residents across all London boroughs, including Barnet.
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