Fellowes makes Lords debut
By Philippa Silverman - 5th May 2011
Oscar winner Julian Fellowes has called on the government to ensure spending cuts do not unfairly discriminate against people with disabilities, in his maiden speech.
Speaking during a debate on the impact of government policies on disabled people, Lord Fellowes of West Stafford warned against changes to the Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
The creator of ITV’s Downtown Abbey was awarded a peerage by David Cameron in November and has previously written speeches for Iain Duncan Smith.
He told peers: "I am fully aware of the need for cuts at a time when our debts have spiralled not just beyond control but almost beyond comprehension."
However the ESA, he said, should be "as strongly defended as is compatible with the coalition's plans."
Lord Fellowes continued: "Disabled people must be allowed their dreams of how they would spend their lives as well as a reasonable chance to achieve them."
He told peers that such dreams were "mostly quite realistic if they can only persuade our society to treat them as fully-paid-up members of it".
Lord Fellowes was congratulated by Mencap president Lord Rix for his contribution and that he was the fifth actor to have become a life peer, following in his own footsteps.
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