Disabled people should be more fairly recognised in the honours system as part of the government's push to make awards reach a wider range of people, says Carly Jones, an advocate for the rights of autistic women and girls. But she tells BBC News she has seen firsthand how people's attitudes need to change, including after she was appointed MBE in 2018. Carly remembers being at a doctors' surgery where there was a call for a Miss Emby. "We're all looking round and I said: 'Is it Jones MBE'?" realising the award had been mistaken for a surname. "You don't look like the sort of person who would have one," Carly was told. "I don't know what that meant," says Carly, who campaigns to help women with autism in education, employment and health services. Not only was Carly appointed MBE, she's on one of the honours committees that decides who else should receive an award, such as knighthoods, CBEs, MBEs and OBEs, in the New Year and King's Birthday Honours. As a disabled woman herself, she wants to make sure the charity and community work of people with disabilities isn't overlooked and taken for granted. An important part of that is to encourage more people to put forward nominations. "Everyone knows someone who deserves an honour," says Carly, who wants to "challenge the myth that this is a system for the elite". In terms of the honours committee, she says: "We can only look at what's put in front of us." There is also a concern, she says, that people shouldn't think that someone has received an award just because of a disability - "because that would devalue the system". There is scrutiny to make sure that those receiving awards of all types have personally worked very hard for good causes. "It can't just be someone who donates a million pounds and then gets a knighthood," she says. Carly, who wasn't diagnosed with autism until she was an adult, experienced homelessness and lived in a hostel, and she wants the honours to reflect those who have come from a difficult position but have made a big difference helping others. The Cabinet Office says the number of people with mental and physical disabilities receiving awards has been increasing over the past decade - from 6.3% of recipients in the New Year Honours in 2015 to 15% in the list for 2025. These were not broken down by type or level of award, but overall it is the highest number to date of disabled award winners. It's a positive sign in the push for the honours to be more representative, but it is still below the proportion of people with disabilities, with the 2021 census figures suggesting almost 18% of people in England and Wales had a disability. Sir Stephen Timms, Minister for Social Security and Disability, said he was "delighted to see more disabled people rightly recognised and celebrated for their remarkable achievements". But the government has accepted there are wider problems with many groups being under-represented in the honours - in terms of geography and social class - particularly in the higher awards, such as knighthoods, damehoods and CBEs. An independent chair is going to be recruited to improve diversity and outreach within the honours process - and Carly says they will be checking through all levels of awards. It follows a BBC analysis revealing that in the most recent New Year Honours only 6% of higher awards went to people in the north of England and4% to people from working-class backgrounds. The most recent New Year Honours had been presented as recognising "unsung heroes" and "community champions". But in practice the higher awards were heavily skewed towards people from wealthier backgrounds, particularly in London and the south-east. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer says he wants the honours system to be "properly diverse and reflective of UK society". Sign up here to get the latest royal stories and analysisevery week with our Royal Watch newsletter. Those outside the UK cansign up here.
'You don't look like someone who gets an MBE'
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Advocate Calls for Greater Recognition of Disabled Individuals in UK Honours System"
Bbc News
8.5
TruthLens AI Summary
Carly Jones, an advocate for the rights of autistic women and girls, emphasizes the need for greater recognition of disabled individuals within the UK's honours system. Her own experience, having been appointed MBE in 2018, highlights the pervasive misconceptions surrounding who is deemed worthy of such accolades. During a visit to a doctor's office, Carly recalls being mistaken for a surname when her title was called, and receiving the comment, 'You don't look like the sort of person who would have one.' This reaction underscores the societal attitudes that need to shift, particularly concerning the contributions of disabled people. Carly, who is also a member of an honours committee responsible for selecting award recipients, aims to ensure that the charitable work of disabled individuals is acknowledged and valued. She encourages people to nominate deserving candidates and seeks to dispel the notion that the honours system is exclusive to the elite. Carly believes that the system should reflect the hard work and dedication of all individuals, regardless of their background or disability status, and highlights the importance of not awarding individuals solely based on their disability status, as this could undermine the integrity of the honours system itself.
Recent statistics from the Cabinet Office indicate a gradual increase in the representation of disabled individuals among award recipients, rising from 6.3% in 2015 to 15% in 2025. However, this figure still falls short of the proportion of disabled individuals in the general population, which is approximately 18% according to the 2021 census. Sir Stephen Timms, Minister for Social Security and Disability, expressed satisfaction with the growing recognition of disabled individuals for their achievements. Nonetheless, the government acknowledges broader issues of under-representation among various groups in the honours system, particularly regarding geography and social class. An independent chair will be appointed to enhance diversity and outreach within the honours process. This initiative follows a BBC analysis revealing that the distribution of higher awards is disproportionately skewed towards individuals from affluent backgrounds, particularly in London and the southeast. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has voiced a commitment to making the honours system more diverse and reflective of the UK populace, aligning with Carly's vision of a more inclusive recognition of community champions and unsung heroes across the nation.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article focuses on the experiences and advocacy of Carly Jones, a disabled woman who received an MBE for her work supporting autistic women and girls. It highlights the need for more representation of disabled individuals in the honours system and the societal misconceptions surrounding these awards. By sharing her personal experiences and challenges, the article seeks to challenge stereotypes and encourage broader participation in the nomination process.
Representation in the Honours System
Carly Jones emphasizes that disabled individuals should be more fairly recognized within the honours system, reflecting a push from the government to diversify award recipients. Her story illustrates the barriers and biases faced by disabled people, particularly in relation to public perceptions of who is deemed deserving of accolades. This commentary aligns with a larger societal movement towards inclusivity and recognition of marginalized groups.
Changing Attitudes
The article captures Carly's encounter where someone remarked, "You don't look like someone who gets an MBE." This statement exemplifies the ingrained biases that persist in society regarding disability and achievement. Carly’s goal is to shift these attitudes, demonstrating that accomplishments can come from diverse backgrounds, including those often overlooked.
Encouragement for Nominations
Jones advocates for nominating individuals from various communities, underlining that many deserving candidates are not recognized simply because they are not put forward for consideration. This call to action serves to empower more people to participate in the honours system, reinforcing the idea that contributions from all sectors of society deserve acknowledgment.
Concerns of Devaluation
A critical point made by Carly is the potential for the honours system to be devalued if awards are perceived as being given solely based on disability status. She stresses the importance of hard work and merit in the selection process, aiming to maintain the integrity of the honours system while advocating for inclusion.
Social Impact and Public Perception
The article could influence public perception by sparking conversations about inclusivity and representation in various fields. It challenges the status quo and could lead to greater awareness and advocacy for disabled individuals, potentially impacting policy changes or community initiatives aimed at supporting these groups.
Community Support and Engagement
This narrative resonates particularly with communities advocating for disability rights, gender equality, and social justice. It appeals to those who believe in equitable recognition and opportunities for all, regardless of background or ability.
Market and Economic Considerations
While the article itself may not directly impact stock markets or global economies, the broader implications of increased recognition for disabled individuals in various sectors could lead to more inclusive workplace policies and practices. Companies focused on diversity and inclusion may see positive responses from consumers and investors.
Geopolitical Context
The article does not directly address global power dynamics but contributes to the ongoing dialogue about equality and representation, which is relevant in today’s discussions about social justice movements worldwide.
Potential AI Influence
There is no direct indication that AI was used in writing this article; however, tools could have been employed for data analysis or to assist in drafting. If AI were involved, it might have shaped the narrative to emphasize inclusivity and societal change.
The article presents a compelling case for the need to rethink the honours system and its recipients, aiming to foster a conversation around representation and recognition for disabled individuals. Its foundations in personal experience lend it credibility, making it a trustworthy source for understanding ongoing societal issues.