Heartbreaking Covid stats reveal abject failure in protecting disabled as on average 100 die every day - independent public inquiry must be launched without further delay

New figures show disabled people make up 60% of all COVID-19 related deaths - over 30,000 in 10 months, or 100 a day on average.

"It is heartbreaking that so many disabled people have died during this pandemic. They have been hit particularly hard in so many ways, but they and their carers are still too often forgotten and ignored by people in power," says Dr Wendy Taylor, who speaks for Newcastle Liberal Democrats on health matters.

"Far too many lives have been lost because of Ministers' abject failure to protect people in care homes. The Prime Minister must set up an independent public inquiry without further delay, so we can learn the lessons and prevent more unnecessary deaths.

"The Government must urgently do far more to protect disabled people's health, including making sure they and their carers are vaccinated as quickly as possible.

"We must ensure that no one is left behind when restrictions are lifted, especially those who have been shielding and alone for almost a year."

'Updated estimates of coronavirus (COVID-19) related deaths by disability status, England: 24 January to 20 November 2020', published by the Office for National Statistics, shows that there were 30,296 Covid-related deaths of disabled people between 24th January and 20th November 2020 - 60% of all Covid-related deaths in that period.