A petition by Mencap calling on the government to foot an estimated £400m back-pay bill has received a boost in signatures following the launch of a mainstream media campaign last night.
Last week, the government agreed to suspend enforcement action for two months and waive financial penalties which have been levied on disability charities by HMRC for paying overnight shift workers below the minimum wage.
While disability charities welcomed the developments, they warned that the changes did not address a potential £400m bill for employers which could be due if HM Revenue & Customs resume demands for six years’ worth of back-pay on 2 October.
Mencap launched a petition on the day the enforcement action was suspended calling on the government to pay the £400m bill, warning providers would face bankruptcy if it failed to do so.
A media campaign was launched last night involving Game of Thrones actor Kit Harington, with coverage secured on BBC News and Channel 4 News.
This has led to a spike of more than 1,000 people signing Mencap's petition, taking the overall number above 7,000.
The petition reads: “Government has caused this problem only they can fix it. Please sign this petition to the Prime Minister and help keep vulnerable people safe.”
Disability charity representatives, including Mencap, are expected to hold a series of meetings with ministers to discuss measures to minimise the potential £400m bill before 2 October.
The charity will be hoping its petition puts pressure on the government to agree to foot the bill.
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Mencap chief executive Jan Tregelles said: “This is the most critical issue that Mencap has faced in 70 years.
“Please help Mencap protect the future care of some of the most vulnerable people in our society by signing our petition today.”
Singer Will Young and radio presenter Jo Whiley have previously backed the petition.
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