The head of one of the UK’s leading disability rights charities has publicly rejected an MBE in the New Year Honours, saying she could not accept an award while disabled people face what she called an “intolerable” and worsening situation under current government policy.
Tressa Burke, chief executive of Glasgow Disability Alliance, was offered an MBE for services to disabled people but declined the honour in protest at recent Budget decisions affecting disabled communities across the UK.
In a letter sent to the Cabinet Office and shared publicly on social media, Burke criticised November’s Budget, highlighting cuts and reforms she said were pushing disabled people deeper into poverty, including changes affecting the Motability scheme and social care funding.
Budget timing deepens anger
Burke revealed she received notification of the proposed honour on 26 November, the same day Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered the Budget. She told BBC Radio Scotland the timing made the offer impossible to accept.
She said disabled people in Glasgow were already facing severe hardship, with many afraid to turn on their heating or pay basic bills, and feeling “under attack” as living costs rise and support systems are tightened.
“I could not accept a personal honour while disabled people were being so publicly dishonoured by political choices,” Burke said, adding that the recognition felt disconnected from the lived reality of those her organisation supports.
Longstanding inequalities highlighted
Burke said disabled people had been consistently failed by successive UK governments, arguing they had been blamed, scapegoated and marginalised over many years. She described the Budget as a missed opportunity to tackle inequality and invest meaningfully in disability services.
In her letter dated 3 December, Burke raised concerns about what she called inadequate benefit levels, the growing cost burden of social care and what she described as “backdoor taxation” through tightening eligibility rules and assessments.
She acknowledged some positive elements in the Budget, including inflation-linked benefit rises and the removal of the two-child benefit cap. However, she said these measures were outweighed by policies that she believes strip disabled people of dignity and limit their ability to live independently.
Social care pressure and NHS impact
Burke warned that increased funding for children’s social care had not been matched by investment in adult social care, placing further strain on families and the NHS. She also criticised proposals to tighten assessments for Personal Independence Payment, saying they risk excluding vulnerable people from essential support.
Disability charities have repeatedly warned that adult social care funding gaps are contributing to hospital backlogs, delayed discharges and rising pressure on emergency services, particularly during winter.
Government response
The Cabinet Office replied to Burke on 23 December, confirming that her decision had been respected and that her name was removed from the New Year 2026 Honours list. A spokesperson said the government does not comment publicly on individual honours decisions.
Burke said her refusal was not about personal recognition but about sending a clear message that symbolic gestures cannot replace meaningful policy change.
She added that disabled people deserved not honours, but secure incomes, accessible services and a genuine commitment to equality.
