The Work Foundation has warned 52.8 per cent of disabled people currently hold jobs, a figure unchanged since 2019
“For every disabled person entering employment, another is departing”, according to fresh statistics from the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ). The figures have prompted demands to introduce sweeping reductions to benefits such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
The Work Foundation has cautioned that 52.8 per cent of disabled people currently maintain employment, a statistic that remains static since 2019, whilst the employment divide between disabled and non-disabled workers has actually widened from 28.8 per cent to 29.7 per cent.
Disability benefit expenditure is projected to reach £39.1billion for 2023-24, based on calculations from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). The fiscal watchdog predicts this will rise to £58.1billion in 2028-29, reports Birmingham Live.
“Disabled people continue to face stark and significant disadvantages in the labour market,” said Ben Harrison, the director of the Work Foundation.
Mr Harrison cautioned that “employers are missing out on accessing the talent and experience of millions of people. Greater flexibility is a key enabler for disabled people to progress in their careers,” Mr Harrison said.
“The recent lack of progress indicates that punitive policies that push disabled people into ‘any job’ are unlikely to be effective. Today’s figures suggest that for every disabled person moving into work, another in employment is leaving. In 2024, 420,000 workless disabled people moved into work while 420,000 disabled workers moved out of work.”
He said: “Many disabled people still contend with inflexible employers, and we need Government and employers to make access to secure and flexible work standard practice to get and keep Britain working.”
Aman Navani, the research and policy analyst at the Work Foundation, highlighted that “nearly half of young people not in employment, education or training are classed as disabled (45.8 per cent) a rise of 24.3 percentage points since 2013/14.
“In order to address this worrying trend, policymakers must provide enhanced support to find work or training but recognise that additional health support in particular mental health support will be critical for young people to enter and remain in work,” Mr Navani declared.
David Southgate, the policy manager at disability equality charity Scope, warned: “Cutting disability benefits would have disastrous consequences for disabled people.
“Life costs a lot more when you’re disabled, on average by over £1,000 every month[1]. Benefits like PIP are a lifeline to help pay for vital equipment, support at home, or enough heating to stay well. We’re hearing constantly from people who already can’t afford these, so taking further support away would be devastating.
“The system does need reforming, but the government needs to work with disabled people to fix our broken benefits system.”
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