John Pring, DNS
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johnpring.bsky.social
John Pring, DNS
@johnpring.bsky.social
5.5K followers 550 following 960 posts
Editor/founder of Disability News Service; author of The Department, published by Pluto Books; disabled journalist and author; autistic.
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johnpring.bsky.social
A new consultation on outdated laws covering the use of powered mobility devices on public roads and pavements could lead to greater independence for disabled people across Britain and an end to legal confusion, say campaigners.
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/consultation...
Consultation on electric wheelchairs, scooters and powered attachments could see end to legal confusion
A new consultation on outdated laws covering the use of powered mobility devices on public roads and pavements could lead to greater independence for disabled people across Britain and an end to le…
www.disabilitynewsservice.com
January 7, 2026 at 8:00 AM
johnpring.bsky.social
Controversial government legislation that has now become law provides no solution to the culture of abuse, neglect and exclusion within the mental health system, or its continued structural racism, say disabled campaigners.
#MentalHealthAct
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/new-mental-h...
New Mental Health Act ‘offers no solution’ to abuse, exclusion and racism in mental health system
Controversial government legislation that has now become law provides no solution to the culture of abuse, neglect and exclusion within the mental health system, or its continued structural racism,…
www.disabilitynewsservice.com
January 7, 2026 at 7:45 AM
johnpring.bsky.social
Disabled people across the country have backed the chief executive of a disability organisation after she turned down an MBE because of how successive governments have “demonised, dehumanised and scapegoated” disabled people.
#NewYearHonours
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/support-from...
Support from across UK for CEO who turned down MBE over government ‘demonisation’ of disabled people
Disabled people across the country have backed the chief executive of a disability organisation after she turned down an MBE because of how successive governments have “demonised, dehumanised and s…
www.disabilitynewsservice.com
January 7, 2026 at 7:30 AM
johnpring.bsky.social
The Department for Work and Pensions is refusing to explain which disabled people it expects to lose out from nearly £2 billion in new cuts to disability benefits, six weeks after the “savings” were quietly revealed in budget documents.
#DWP #PIP #WCA
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/dwp-refuses-...
DWP refuses to say who will lose out in £2 billion cuts to disability benefits, six weeks after budget
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is refusing to explain which disabled people it expects to lose out from nearly £2 billion in new cuts to disability benefits, six weeks after the “saving…
www.disabilitynewsservice.com
January 7, 2026 at 7:15 AM
johnpring.bsky.social
Consultation on electric wheelchairs, scooters and powered attachments could see end to legal confusion
@wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/consultation...
Consultation on electric wheelchairs, scooters and powered attachments could see end to legal confusion
A new consultation on outdated laws covering the use of powered mobility devices on public roads and pavements could lead to greater independence for disabled people across Britain and an end to le…
www.disabilitynewsservice.com
January 6, 2026 at 5:22 PM
johnpring.bsky.social
New Mental Health Act ‘offers no solution’ to abuse, exclusion and racism in mental health system
#MentalHealthAct
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/new-mental-h...
New Mental Health Act ‘offers no solution’ to abuse, exclusion and racism in mental health system
Controversial government legislation that has now become law provides no solution to the culture of abuse, neglect and exclusion within the mental health system, or its continued structural racism,…
www.disabilitynewsservice.com
January 6, 2026 at 5:20 PM
johnpring.bsky.social
Support from across UK for disabled CEO who turned down #MBE over government ‘demonisation’ of disabled people
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/support-from...
Support from across UK for CEO who turned down MBE over government ‘demonisation’ of disabled people
Disabled people across the country have backed the chief executive of a disability organisation after she turned down an MBE because of how successive governments have “demonised, dehumanised and s…
www.disabilitynewsservice.com
January 6, 2026 at 5:19 PM
johnpring.bsky.social
DWP refuses to say who will lose out in £2 billion cuts to disability benefits, six weeks after budget
#DWP #Budget2025 #DisabilityBenefits
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/dwp-refuses-...
DWP refuses to say who will lose out in £2 billion cuts to disability benefits, six weeks after budget
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is refusing to explain which disabled people it expects to lose out from nearly £2 billion in new cuts to disability benefits, six weeks after the “saving…
www.disabilitynewsservice.com
January 6, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Reposted by John Pring, DNS
amateurfoi.bsky.social
Minister rejects pleas from disabled peers for national wheelchair and equipment strategy
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/minister-rej...
@johnpring.bsky.social
Minister rejects pleas from disabled peers for national wheelchair and equipment strategy
The government has dismissed pleas by disabled peers for ministers to introduce a national strategy to address the “untenable” state of wheelchair and community equipment services. A trio of disabl…
www.disabilitynewsservice.com
December 19, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Reposted by John Pring, DNS
amateurfoi.bsky.social
Welsh government publishes 10-year plan for disability rights… but fails to include any long-term policies
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/welsh-govern...
@johnpring.bsky.social
Welsh government publishes 10-year plan for disability rights… but fails to include any long-term policies
The much-anticipated disability rights plan for Wales has left it to the next Welsh government to come up with a strategy to tackle the long-term barriers disabled people face in their daily lives.…
www.disabilitynewsservice.com
December 19, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Reposted by John Pring, DNS
amateurfoi.bsky.social
Labour ministers considered means-testing PIP, but later ruled it out, watchdog’s report shows
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/labour-minis...
@johnpring.bsky.social
Labour ministers considered means-testing PIP, but later ruled it out, watchdog’s report shows
Labour ministers considered the possibility of means-testing personal independence payment (PIP) last year, but then ruled out the option, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has admitted. A…
www.disabilitynewsservice.com
December 19, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Reposted by John Pring, DNS
amateurfoi.bsky.social
Sadly DWP are likely to come up with a different exemption to refuse John's RFI. That's it go-to behaviour.

Watchdog dismisses DWP’s description of DNS editor as ‘vengeful’ and ‘vexatious’ for asking to see deaths email
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/watchdog-dis...
@johnpring.bsky.social
Watchdog dismisses DWP’s description of DNS editor as ‘vengeful’ and ‘vexatious’ for asking to see deaths email
The information commissioner has dismissed attempts by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to describe a disabled journalist as “vengeful” and “vexatious” after he tried to obtain informatio…
www.disabilitynewsservice.com
December 19, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Reposted by John Pring, DNS
amateurfoi.bsky.social
Labour accused of ‘horrifying’ betrayal of disabled people after slashing Tory accessible housing target
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/labour-accus...
@johnpring.bsky.social
Labour accused of ‘horrifying’ betrayal of disabled people after slashing Tory accessible housing target
The Labour government has been accused of a “truly horrifying” betrayal of disabled people after slashing an accessible housing target proposed by the last Conservative government. On 18 March 2024…
www.disabilitynewsservice.com
December 19, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Reposted by John Pring, DNS
rickburgess.bsky.social
Starmer’s war on regulation just also happened to junk standards for accessible housing.
But you can tell them your thoughts -
www.gov.uk/government/c...
December 20, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Reposted by John Pring, DNS
philfree.bsky.social
Labour accused of ‘horrifying’ betrayal of disabled people after slashing Tory accessible housing target - @johnpring.bsky.social
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/labour-accus...
Labour accused of ‘horrifying’ betrayal of disabled people after slashing Tory accessible housing target
The Labour government has been accused of a “truly horrifying” betrayal of disabled people after slashing an accessible housing target proposed by the last Conservative government. On 18 March 2024…
www.disabilitynewsservice.com
December 20, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Reposted by John Pring, DNS
philfree.bsky.social
“It is not the role of a journalist to cast a positive light on information obtained under FOIA.”

Watchdog dismisses DWP’s description of DNS editor as ‘vengeful’ & ‘vexatious’ for asking to see deaths email - @johnpring.bsky.social
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/watchdog-dis...
Watchdog dismisses DWP’s description of DNS editor as ‘vengeful’ and ‘vexatious’ for asking to see deaths email
The information commissioner has dismissed attempts by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to describe a disabled journalist as “vengeful” and “vexatious” after he tried to obtain informatio…
www.disabilitynewsservice.com
December 20, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Reposted by John Pring, DNS
aldtu.bsky.social
The information commissioner has dismissed attempts by the Department for Work and Pensions to describe a disabled journalist as “vengeful” and “vexatious” after he tried to obtain information about its years of safeguarding failings
buff.ly/5WQaBiE
@marisharay.bsky.social @johnpring.bsky.social
Watchdog dismisses DWP’s description of DNS editor as ‘vengeful’ and ‘vexatious’ for asking to see deaths email
The information commissioner has dismissed attempts by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to describe a disabled journalist as “vengeful” and “vexatious” after he tried to obtain informatio…
buff.ly
December 21, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Reposted by John Pring, DNS
rightsnet.org.uk
Information Commissioner dismisses DWP’s description of investigative journalist as ‘vengeful’ and ‘vexatious’

@johnpring.bsky.social

www.rightsnet.org.uk/now/post/69399
December 22, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Reposted by John Pring, DNS
johnpring.bsky.social
Still can't quite get over being called 'vengeful' and 'vexatious' by #DWP for asking for an unredacted email that could reveal details re the department's links with hundreds, and probably thousands, of deaths over the last 15 years.
#DeathsByWelfare
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/watchdog-dis...
Watchdog dismisses DWP’s description of DNS editor as ‘vengeful’ and ‘vexatious’ for asking to see deaths email
The information commissioner has dismissed attempts by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to describe a disabled journalist as “vengeful” and “vexatious” after he tried to obtain informatio…
www.disabilitynewsservice.com
January 2, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Reposted by John Pring, DNS
johnpring.bsky.social
If anyone had any lingering doubts about the need for a dedicated minister for disabled people - based outside the #DWP - this DNS story from last month surely banishes them for good:
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/labour-accus...
Labour accused of ‘horrifying’ betrayal of disabled people after slashing Tory accessible housing target
The Labour government has been accused of a “truly horrifying” betrayal of disabled people after slashing an accessible housing target proposed by the last Conservative government. On 18 March 2024…
www.disabilitynewsservice.com
January 2, 2026 at 2:45 PM
johnpring.bsky.social
Still can't quite get over being called 'vengeful' and 'vexatious' by #DWP for asking for an unredacted email that could reveal details re the department's links with hundreds, and probably thousands, of deaths over the last 15 years.
#DeathsByWelfare
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/watchdog-dis...
Watchdog dismisses DWP’s description of DNS editor as ‘vengeful’ and ‘vexatious’ for asking to see deaths email
The information commissioner has dismissed attempts by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to describe a disabled journalist as “vengeful” and “vexatious” after he tried to obtain informatio…
www.disabilitynewsservice.com
January 2, 2026 at 3:00 PM
johnpring.bsky.social
If anyone had any lingering doubts about the need for a dedicated minister for disabled people - based outside the #DWP - this DNS story from last month surely banishes them for good:
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/labour-accus...
Labour accused of ‘horrifying’ betrayal of disabled people after slashing Tory accessible housing target
The Labour government has been accused of a “truly horrifying” betrayal of disabled people after slashing an accessible housing target proposed by the last Conservative government. On 18 March 2024…
www.disabilitynewsservice.com
January 2, 2026 at 2:45 PM
johnpring.bsky.social
The government has dismissed pleas by disabled peers for ministers to introduce a national strategy to address the “untenable” state of wheelchair and community equipment services.
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/minister-rej...
Minister rejects pleas from disabled peers for national wheelchair and equipment strategy
The government has dismissed pleas by disabled peers for ministers to introduce a national strategy to address the “untenable” state of wheelchair and community equipment services. A trio of disabl…
www.disabilitynewsservice.com
December 20, 2025 at 8:15 AM
johnpring.bsky.social
Disabled campaigners have dismissed a watchdog’s “misleading” new league table that claims to show the best performers in assisting disabled rail passengers.
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/watchdogs-le...
Watchdog’s league table on rail passenger assistance is ‘misleading’, say accessible transport campaigners
Disabled campaigners have dismissed a watchdog’s “misleading” new league table that claims to show the best performers in assisting disabled rail passengers. The “benchmarking” report by the Office…
www.disabilitynewsservice.com
December 20, 2025 at 8:00 AM
johnpring.bsky.social
The government’s housing and regeneration agency has failed to explain why its new five-year strategy fails to mention disabled people, or the need to address the accessible housing crisis.
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/governments-...
Government’s housing agency fails to mention accessible homes in new five-year strategy
The government’s housing and regeneration agency has failed to explain why its new five-year strategy fails to mention disabled people, or the need to address the accessible housing crisis. Homes E…
www.disabilitynewsservice.com
December 20, 2025 at 7:45 AM