Transcript

NARRATOR

In June 2016, the UN Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights found Britain to be in breach of its international rights obligations by the disproportionate effect of austerity measures upon the poorest, most in need, and disabled people of the UK. UN Special Reporter Professor De Schutter is on the committee responsible for analysing the evidence and preparing the UN report.

PROF. DE SCHUTTER

The Welfare Reform and Work Act of 2016 have led, for the first time in its history, the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to launch a formal inquiry into the situation in the UK. And there was evidence of a flagrant and systematic violation of the rights under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. So this is very unique. It's an unprecedented use by the Committee of that to the inquiry procedure, which can only be used in the most extreme situations.