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Sir Stephen Timms, Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work, has sparked significant concern with recent remarks suggesting potential cuts to the Access to Work scheme. Speaking during a parliamentary committee meeting, Timms pointed to the government’s plan to introduce a new “digital service” for the scheme. This plan, he stated, includes an intention to reduce the current expenditure, which many fear will result in significant reductions in support for Disabled workers.
The Access to Work scheme is a lifeline for thousands of Disabled people across the UK, providing funding for vital workplace adjustments such as assistive technology, transport, and personal support workers. It enables Disabled workers to overcome barriers that would otherwise exclude them from employment opportunities. The scheme is widely regarded as one of the most effective tools for creating inclusive workplaces and improving employment rates for Disabled people. Any reduction in funding or scope would threaten to undo years of progress, potentially leaving many Disabled workers without the support they need to thrive in their roles.
These statements come despite recent commitments from the Labour government to make work more accessible for Disabled people. Just last month, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer affirmed his government’s pledge to overhaul social security, stating that Labour’s approach would “ensure that work is accessible to as many people as possible,” including Disabled people. The Labour Party’s manifesto also emphasised disability equality and removing barriers to employment as key priorities. Cuts to Access to Work would appear to contradict these commitments, raising questions about the government’s ability to deliver on its promises.
The Access to Work scheme has already faced considerable strain. Employment Minister Alison McGovern revealed in October last year that a backlog of 55,000 applications was yet to be processed. While the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) figures show that spending on support such as equipment, travel, and assistance increased from £127 million in 2016-17 to £255 million in 2023-24, once inflation is accounted for, the growing demand has outpaced the system’s capacity to deliver in a timely manner. For Disabled workers and employers alike, these delays have created significant barriers to accessing the support needed for equitable employment.
As of the second quarter of 2024, the disability employment rate in the UK was 53.0%, compared to 81.6% for non-disabled people, resulting in a disability employment gap of 28.6 percentage points. Between July and September 2024, the disability employment rate increased slightly to 54.4%, while the rate for non-disabled people rose to 81.9%, leading to a gap of 27.5 percentage points. These figures highlight a persistent disparity in employment opportunities for Disabled people, despite small signs of progress. Disabled employees are also more likely to work for small employers, who often have fewer resources to absorb the financial strain caused by delays in processing Access to Work claims. This adds further pressure to a system that is already failing many employers and employees alike.
WECIL has felt the impact of the Access to Work scheme’s existing shortcomings. A particular example has been in the People’s Voice project. People’s Voice helps people who are neurodivergent or have a learning difference to lead vital work on self-advocacy and community development. It’s goal is to help people with with a learning difference to learn, take action, and speak up about issues that are important to them.
People’s Voice employs Disabled people to contribute their unique perspectives and expertise to lead its work. However, delays in processing Access to Work claims have placed immense strain on our organisation.
We have been waiting for over 28 weeks for claims to be processed for adjustments such as transport for team members. WECIL has absorbed these costs throughout the project to date, as it can only do its work if it is led by the people it exists to advance. But we know that for many employers, these costs act as a further deterrent to employing Disabled people. The government must recognise that the costs of supporting Disabled employees are not optional; they are fundamental to creating inclusive workplaces.
Lucie Martin-Jones, WECIL’s Head of Community, explains:
The financial strain imposed by Access to Work delays has serious impacts for WECIL as an employer that prioritises creating meaningful employment for Disabled people. Yet for many employers, this strain imposes a barrier to hiring Disabled people. Without timely and reliable Access to Work funding, the prospects of many Disabled workers will deteriorate further, widening the employment gap that already disproportionately affects Disabled people.
Cuts to Access to Work would be a step backwards in the fight for disability equality and a failure to uphold the government’s stated commitments. As one of the few schemes that directly addresses the unique challenges Disabled workers face, its role cannot be underestimated. For thousands of Disabled people, Access to Work represents more than funding; it represents a chance to participate in the workforce on equal terms. The government must prioritise expanding and improving the scheme, not cutting it, to ensure that Disabled people are empowered to succeed in every workplace.
For employers who want to go beyond minimum compliance and truly create inclusive workplaces, WECIL’s Disability.Inc. service provides expert support. From training and consultancy to access audits and workplace adjustments, Disability.Inc. helps organisations develop meaningful inclusion strategies. All of our training and access audits are delivered by Disabled people, ensuring that lived experience shapes the support we provide. Visit the Disability.Inc. website to find out how we can help you become a leader in disability equality.
