Glasgow Disability Alliance CEO Tressa Burke Rejects MBE Over Disability Policies
Tressa Burke, CEO of the Glasgow Disability Alliance, has rejected an MBE offered to her in the New Year Honours list, describing the situation for disabled people as "simply intolerable." She was informed of the honour on 26 November 2025, coinciding with the day the Budget was announced.
In a letter dated 3 December, Burke criticised the Budget as inadequate for disabled individuals, highlighting cuts to the Motability scheme and what she termed backdoor taxation of social care. However, she acknowledged certain positive measures, including inflation-linked disability benefits and the removal of the two-child cap.
Burke portrayed disabled people in Glasgow as grim and fearful due to rising heating and bills costs, feeling attacked by UK government policy. She argued that successive governments have wronged disabled people, who have faced blame, scapegoating, and social relegation.
She pointed out that investments in children's social care were not matched by funding for adult social care, leading to increased strain on the NHS, and she criticised stricter Personal Independence Payment assessments.
The Cabinet Office responded on 23 December, stating that the Prime Minister was sorry not to include her name in the New Year 2026 Honours List but respected her wishes.
