The Government has named campaigner Zara Todd as the first Chair of the Independent Disability Advisory Panel, a new body set up to influence health and disability policy. The group, unveiled in the Get Britain Working White Paper, will be made up of ten deaf and disabled people, as well as those living with long-term health conditions. Its aim is to ensure that lived experience plays a stronger role in shaping government decisions and services.

Ms Todd will lead on assembling the panel, which is intended to operate independently while sharing expertise with the separate Timms Review of Personal Independence Payment. The new forum will act as a bridge between ministers and the disability sector, offering practical insight, guidance and recommendations. By embedding real experiences into policy-making, officials hope to improve trust and build more meaningful collaboration.

Speaking on her appointment, Ms Todd said she was “delighted” to take on the role and highlighted her ambition to strengthen connections between government and disabled people. She added that working together with others who bring direct experience would help create policy that better reflects the needs of the community.

Zara Todd brings extensive experience, having chaired the Edinburgh Accessibility Commission since 2024 and served on various boards and advisory panels across the UK and internationally. Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms, welcomed her appointment, describing her expertise as “invaluable” in ensuring disabled voices remain central to future policy development.