Disability employment gap

Work and Pensions Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 3 Nov 2020 Closed: 2 Feb 2022 Parliament page
The Committee investigated the gap between the employment rates of disabled and non-disabled people and how the Department for Work and Pensions can better support disabled people in the labour market. We focussed on: Trends in the disability employment gap The economic impact of low employment rates for disabled people … Read more
33 Recommendations
5 Conclusions
1 Report
6 Oral sessions
1 Letter
6 Events
Activity timeline 9 events
22 Nov
2021
Report published
30 Jul
2021
Report published
11 Jun
2021
Correspondence
19 May
2021
Oral evidence
28 Apr
2021
Oral evidence
24 Mar
2021
Oral evidence
10 Mar
2021
Oral evidence
24 Feb
2021
Oral evidence
20 Jan
2021
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 6 sessions
19 May 2021
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Work and Pensions
Angus Gray · Department for Work & Pensions John Paul Marks · Department for Work and Pensions Justin Tomlinson MP · Department for Work and Pensions
28 Apr 2021
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Work and Pensions Committee
Catherine Hale · Chronic Illness Inclusion Project Daniel Jennings · Epilepsy Action Martin Sigsworth · Pocklington Trust Professor Karen Walker-Bone · National Centre for Musculoskeletal Health and Work, Versus Arthritis Rob Geaney · Royal National Institute for Deaf People Sarah Rawlings · MS Society
24 Mar 2021
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Work and Pensions Committee
Angela Matthews · Business Disability Forum Clare Gray · Shaw Trust Huw Davies · British Association for Supported Employment Matthew Ainsworth · Greater Manchester Combined Authority Matthew Oakley · Social Metrics Commission The Lord Shinkwin · The Centre for Social Justice Disability Commission
10 Mar 2021
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Work and Pensions Committee
Alex Kennedy · Rethink Mental Illness David Stephenson · Mind Dr Jed Boardman · Centre for Mental Health Jane Harris · National Autistic Society Lorenzo Torre · Three Cs Matthew Harrison · The Royal Mencap Society
24 Feb 2021
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Work and Pensions Committee
Ben Baumberg Geiger · University of Kent Dr Mark Bryan · University of Sheffield Fazilet Hadi · Disability Rights UK Gemma Hope · Leonard Cheshire James Taylor · Scope Professor Melanie Jones · Cardiff Business School Tom Pollard · New Economics Foundation
20 Jan 2021
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Work and Pensions Committee
Dame Carol Black Joshua Reddaway · National Audit Office
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Second Report - Disability employment gap HC 189 30 Jul 2021 38 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
38 results
1 Conclusion Acknowledged
Second Report - Disability employm…
It is regrettable that the publication of three key documents—the Green Paper, the National Strategy...
It is regrettable that the publication of three key documents—the Green Paper, the National Strategy and the Government’s response to the “Health is everyone’s business” consultation—has been delayed significantly over the course of our inquiry. The Government’s approach to the … Read more
Government Response
The government details its existing goals for reducing the disability employment gap, commits to publishing annual statistical updates, and aims to achieve its current goal of seeing a million more disabled people in work by 2027.
Department for Work and Pensions
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2 Recommendation Accepted
Second Report - Disability employm…
There is broad support for the premise that the Government should have a target for...
There is broad support for the premise that the Government should have a target for improving disabled people’s employment rates. Views about what that target should be, however, differ. Both absolute and relative targets have drawbacks. Although the overall number … Read more
Government Response
The government describes its existing methods for monitoring disability employment and states its commitment to improving data, but does not commit to adopting a new target that combines both absolute and relative elements as recommended.
Department for Work and Pensions
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3 Recommendation Not Addressed
Second Report - Disability employm…
We recommend that the Government adopt a target with two elements: closing the disability employment...
We recommend that the Government adopt a target with two elements: closing the disability employment gap and increasing the number of disabled people in work. It should re-adopt its previous target of halving the disability employment gap. Alongside this, it … Read more
Government Response
The government's response details existing ONS and DWP/DHSC data publications on employment outcomes for disabled people, including autism. It does not address the recommendation to adopt new or re-adopt previous specific disability employment targets, or to include such plans in the National Strategy for Disabled People.
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4 Recommendation Not Addressed
Second Report - Disability employm…
In isolation, however, even the measures underlying this target do not give a full picture...
In isolation, however, even the measures underlying this target do not give a full picture of the Government’s progress on disability employment or disabled people’s experiences of work. Instead of relying on a single measure, the Government should collect data … Read more
Government Response
The government notes that data on employment, disability, and impairment type is already collected in the Family Resources Survey (FRS) but does not commit to collecting the additional specific indicators recommended, such as the Prevented from Working by Disability measure or new job quality metrics.
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5 Recommendation Not Addressed
Second Report - Disability employm…
We welcome the fact that questions about autism have been added to the ONS Labour...
We welcome the fact that questions about autism have been added to the ONS Labour Force Survey, which will enable the Government to collect more detailed data about autistic people’s experiences of work. The Government should commit to publishing this … Read more
Government Response
The government response details a forthcoming consultation on workforce reporting on disability for large employers but does not commit to publishing the ONS Labour Force Survey data on autism or collecting more data on other impairment groups as recommended.
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6 Recommendation Not Addressed
Second Report - Disability employm…
The ONS’ Labour Force Survey (LFS) is currently unable to capture how people affected by...
The ONS’ Labour Force Survey (LFS) is currently unable to capture how people affected by the same broad symptom groups, such as energy limitation, are in employment. This is because the questions in the survey focus on medical diagnosis rather … Read more
Government Response
The government's response outlines general strategies for supporting disabled people in employment and addressing pay gaps, including the In-Work Progression Commission and Universal Credit changes, but it does not address the specific recommendation for DWP to work with ONS to collect symptom-based employment data in the Labour Force Survey.
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7 Recommendation Not Addressed
Second Report - Disability employm…
Mandatory reporting, which would require employers to publish data about the number of disabled people...
Mandatory reporting, which would require employers to publish data about the number of disabled people they employ, could be a highly effective way of holding employers to account and driving forward progress on closing the disability employment gap. This data … Read more
Government Response
The government response focuses on assessing the effectiveness of the Work and Health Programme and committing to fund a Local Supported Employment service with local authorities. It does not address the committee's recommendation to require larger employers to publish data on the proportion of their disabled employees.
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8 Recommendation Not Addressed
Second Report - Disability employm…
We are not yet persuaded, however, that requiring employers to report data on the “disability...
We are not yet persuaded, however, that requiring employers to report data on the “disability pay gap” is the right way forward. We share the Minister’s concern that this data could risk giving a misleading impression of employers who have … Read more
Government Response
The government response details various employment support initiatives delivered through Jobcentres, including training, Skills Bootcamps, and Sector-based Work Academy Programmes. It does not address the committee's recommendation for setting ambitious and timed targets to reduce the disability pay gap.
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9 Conclusion Accepted
Second Report - Disability employm…
There is evidence that localised support, which is often delivered by small, specialist providers, helps...
There is evidence that localised support, which is often delivered by small, specialist providers, helps disabled people get into and stay in work. All too often, however, 72 Disability employment gap disabled people are reliant on large, national programmes, or … Read more
Government Response
The government highlights the work of Employment Advisers in Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services, supporting thousands of people into employment, and the Health and Care Bill's proposal to create Integrated Care Partnerships (ICPs) which will address employment at a local level. These initiatives align with the committee's observation on the value of localised support.
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10 Recommendation Deferred
Second Report - Disability employm…
DWP should reimagine fundamentally how it provides employment support to disabled people.
DWP should reimagine fundamentally how it provides employment support to disabled people. We recommend that DWP should carry out a significant expansion of the number of Devolved Deal Areas, granting more powers to local authorities to set up their own … Read more
Government Response
The government's response defers action by stating that the evaluation results of Health-Led Trials are due in 2022, which will provide an assessment of their impact. In the meantime, it is funding the continuation of IPS services in trial areas, rather than committing to expanding devolved deal areas for employment support as recommended.
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11 Recommendation Not Addressed
Second Report - Disability employm…
The default position should be that groups of local authorities, perhaps based on the recently-defined...
The default position should be that groups of local authorities, perhaps based on the recently-defined NHS integrated care system boundaries, where they have the will and capacity to do so, are responsible for delivering employment support for disabled people. DWP … Read more
Government Response
The government response details DWP's policies and improvements regarding communication accessibility for disabled claimants, such as Video Relay Service and accessible forms, but does not address the recommendation to devolve employment support for disabled people to local authorities.
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12 Recommendation Not Addressed
Second Report - Disability employm…
Locally-commissioned employment support will require close working between local government and a variety of partners,...
Locally-commissioned employment support will require close working between local government and a variety of partners, including the NHS. Integrated care systems (ICSs) have an important role to play in strengthening these partnerships. The Government’s ambition is for every area in … Read more
Government Response
The government response details training and resources for Jobcentre staff and Disability Employment Advisers but does not address the recommendation to expand the role of Integrated Care Systems in commissioning localised employment support for disabled people.
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13 Recommendation Acknowledged
Second Report - Disability employm…
The evidence we heard in favour of Individual Placement and Support (IPS) as a model...
The evidence we heard in favour of Individual Placement and Support (IPS) as a model of employment support is overwhelmingly positive. We welcome the fact that the Department has invested in trials of IPS. We urge the Department to bring … Read more
Government Response
The government's response outlines various broader initiatives from the National Disability Strategy and other programs to support disabled people into employment, but it does not specifically commit to adopting Individual Placement and Support (IPS) as a primary model for employment support or bringing forward the publication of data analysis from IPS trials.
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14 Recommendation Not Addressed
Second Report - Disability employm…
It is unacceptable that some disabled people still face barriers when trying to access services...
It is unacceptable that some disabled people still face barriers when trying to access services through Jobcentre Plus. It is particularly shocking that services provided by the Department for Work and Pensions, whose ministerial team includes the Minister for Disabled … Read more
Government Response
The government's response focuses on an early version of a service to support employers managing health and disability in the workplace, alongside existing schemes like Disability Confident and Acas resources. It does not address the specific recommendations regarding improving accessibility of Jobcentre Plus premises, services, or communication formats for disabled clients.
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15 Recommendation Not Addressed
Second Report - Disability employm…
We heard that more needs to be done to improve the way a disabled person’s...
We heard that more needs to be done to improve the way a disabled person’s communication preferences are recorded by Jobcentre Plus. DWP should take inspiration from the Accessible Information Standard model used in the NHS and create an automated … Read more
Government Response
The government's response focuses on promoting Access to Work, publishing statistics, and trialling an online payment claims journey, but it does not address the recommendation to improve the recording of disabled persons' communication preferences by Jobcentre Plus using an automated process.
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16 Recommendation Not Addressed
Second Report - Disability employm…
We welcome the fact that the Department has increased the number of Disability Employment Advisers...
We welcome the fact that the Department has increased the number of Disability Employment Advisers (DEAs) in Jobcentres. DEAs can provide specialist support to disabled people in a way that generalist Work Coaches do not, and the increase in numbers … Read more
Government Response
The government response details improvements to the Access to Work digital customer service, including speeding up payments and improving accessibility. It does not address the committee's recommendations regarding Disability Employment Advisers (DEAs) or Jobcentre Plus staff training.
Department for Work and Pensions
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17 Recommendation Not Addressed
Second Report - Disability employm…
We welcome the fact that DWP already encourages providers of some of its disability support...
We welcome the fact that DWP already encourages providers of some of its disability support schemes to adopt job carving as part of their support to participants. The Department, however, should do more to support and encourage employers to adopt … Read more
Government Response
The government response details the piloting of a personalised Adjustment Passport to support disabled individuals in employment transitions by recording workplace adjustments, but it does not address the recommendation to promote job carving practices among employers or provide guidance on it.
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18 Conclusion Not Addressed
Second Report - Disability employm…
We heard from disabled people and disability organisations that some employers simply don’t understand their...
We heard from disabled people and disability organisations that some employers simply don’t understand their legal obligations to provide reasonable adjustments, whilst others continue to flout the law deliberately. The way in which disability is defined in the Equality Act … Read more
Government Response
The government response details improvements to the Access to Work scheme's customer service, channels, and digital functionality, but does not address the broader recommendation that the government should ensure employers understand their legal obligations regarding reasonable adjustments and the Equality Act.
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19 Recommendation Deferred
Second Report - Disability employm…
The introduction of an online information hub for employers is an initial step in the...
The introduction of an online information hub for employers is an initial step in the right direction. We urge the Government to ensure that its information and advice service goes live as planned no later than August 2021. DWP must … Read more
Government Response
The government states it will review and strengthen the Disability Confident scheme (Levels 2 and 3) by working with key stakeholders and commissioning an employer insight survey, rather than directly committing to the specific content of an online information hub or considering punitive measures as recommended.
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20 Recommendation Not Addressed
Second Report - Disability employm…
Some disability organisations have spoken positively about the Access to Work scheme: when it works,...
Some disability organisations have spoken positively about the Access to Work scheme: when it works, it can be a vital source of support for disabled people in work. We have consistently heard, however, several reoccurring criticisms of the scheme from … Read more
Government Response
The government response discusses a review of the Disability Confident scheme and an employer insight survey, failing to address the recommendations regarding Access to Work, including publishing statistics quarterly, redesigning the application process, co-designing it, or reducing review frequency.
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21 Recommendation Not Addressed
Second Report - Disability employm…
The Minister also told us that that the application process for Access to Work, which...
The Minister also told us that that the application process for Access to Work, which is currently paper-based, will undergo a “digital transformation” this year. This is long overdue, and we look forward to seeing how this work progresses. The … Read more
Government Response
The government's response outlines a review of the Disability Confident scheme, including its assessment levels and complaints process, but it does not address the recommendation to ensure support for people with low digital literacy during the digital transformation of the Access to Work application process.
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22 Conclusion Not Addressed
Second Report - Disability employm…
Support from Access to Work is only available for disabled people once they have been...
Support from Access to Work is only available for disabled people once they have been offered a job. This means that disabled people who are looking for work face uncertainty about whether they will receive the support they need, should … Read more
Government Response
The government's response details the commitments required from employers under the Disability Confident scheme and mentions a future review of the scheme's criteria, but it does not address the committee's conclusion regarding the uncertainty caused by Access to Work support only being available after a job offer.
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23 Recommendation Not Addressed
Second Report - Disability employm…
The Minister said that the Department intends to pilot “passports” for jobseekers from particular groups,...
The Minister said that the Department intends to pilot “passports” for jobseekers from particular groups, including students and veterans, which we welcome. These passports are intended to give job applicants certainty about what support they can receive through Access to … Read more
Government Response
The government response outlines work following the "Health is Everyone's Business" consultation, focusing on improving access to Occupational Health for SMEs and the self-employed, including plans for user research on financial incentives. It does not address the committee's recommendation to extend eligibility for Access to Work passports or introduce a passport for disabled employees moving jobs.
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24 Recommendation Not Addressed
Second Report - Disability employm…
Our predecessor Committee recommended that the Department should improve the effectiveness of the Access to...
Our predecessor Committee recommended that the Department should improve the effectiveness of the Access to Work central call centre system. In response, the Department said that it recognised the importance of taking action to correct the issues with the system. … Read more
Government Response
The government response discusses Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing work to review SSP, stating the pandemic was not the right time for broader changes. This response does not address the committee's recommendation regarding rectifying problems with the Access to Work central call centre system.
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25 Recommendation Not Addressed
Second Report - Disability employm…
To assess whether Disability Confident is meeting its objectives of increasing disability employment and changing...
To assess whether Disability Confident is meeting its objectives of increasing disability employment and changing employers’ attitudes and recruitment practices, our predecessor Committee recommended that DWP should commission an evaluation of Disability Confident by 2020. DWP accepted the recommendation and … Read more
Government Response
The government's response discusses flexible and hybrid working arrangements and related consultations and guidance, but it does not address the recommendation to urgently announce plans and a timetable for the evaluation of the Disability Confident scheme.
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26 Recommendation Not Addressed
Second Report - Disability employm…
By the Department’s own admission, it is not possible to know whether Disability Confident is...
By the Department’s own admission, it is not possible to know whether Disability Confident is having any meaningful beneficial impact on the employment prospects of disabled people. As part of its evaluation, the Department should explore ways in which it … Read more
Government Response
The government response details ONS analysis on COVID-19 deaths by disability status and occupation, which does not address the recommendation to evaluate the Disability Confident scheme's success, including mandatory reporting of disabled employees.
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27 Recommendation Not Addressed
Second Report - Disability employm…
As part of its evaluation, to improve the effectiveness of the scheme, we recommend that...
As part of its evaluation, to improve the effectiveness of the scheme, we recommend that the Department should establish an independent body to carry out objective external assessments of Disability Confident employers at levels 2 and 3 to monitor whether … Read more
Government Response
The government's response describes the Kickstart and Restart schemes, their support for disabled participants, and monitoring efforts for these programs, but it does not address the recommendation to establish an independent body for external assessments of Disability Confident employers or to consider punitive measures for non-compliance.
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28 Recommendation Not Addressed
Second Report - Disability employm…
We heard evidence that the Disability Confident Commitments (the criteria an employer must agree to...
We heard evidence that the Disability Confident Commitments (the criteria an employer must agree to in order to receive Level 1 accreditation) are not challenging 76 Disability employment gap enough for employers and focus too heavily on changing recruitment processes … Read more
Government Response
The government response explains the payment model and incentives for the Restart Scheme, entirely failing to address the recommendation to review and strengthen the Disability Confident commitments and accreditation criteria to include a requirement for recruiting disabled people.
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29 Recommendation Not Addressed
Second Report - Disability employm…
We welcome the publication of the Government’s response to the Health is everyone’s business consultation,...
We welcome the publication of the Government’s response to the Health is everyone’s business consultation, which closed in 2019. We look forward to scrutinising the Government’s proposals in greater detail, particularly on improving access to occupational health for people in … Read more
Government Response
The government states that detailed proposals from the Green Paper consultation will be brought forward in a White Paper in 2022, focusing on the benefits system and enabling people to work independently. This response does not provide the specific detail or timetable requested for testing and evaluating a subsidy for SMEs and the self-employed regarding occupational health.
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30 Recommendation Not Addressed
Second Report - Disability employm…
It is disappointing that the Government has decided not to progress with plans for reforming...
It is disappointing that the Government has decided not to progress with plans for reforming Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). The Government acknowledges that there is clear support for SSP reform. The pandemic has highlighted some of the key weaknesses in … Read more
Government Response
The government describes the paused "Tailoring Up" approach for Universal Credit claimants and states that detailed proposals from the Green Paper consultation will be brought forward in a White Paper in mid-2022. This response does not specifically detail plans or timescales for reforming Statutory Sick Pay, as requested by the committee.
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31 Recommendation Acknowledged
Second Report - Disability employm…
The pandemic has led to a sharp increase in the number of people working remotely.
The pandemic has led to a sharp increase in the number of people working remotely. It is clear from the evidence we heard that while remote working has created new access barriers for some disabled people, for many others it … Read more
Government Response
The government highlights the recently published National Disability Strategy and its aim to improve disabled people's lives and employment, committing to reviewing engagement with disabled people. However, it does not specifically address the recommendation to amend legislation for a statutory right to request remote or flexible working from the start of employment.
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32 Recommendation Accepted
Second Report - Disability employm…
There is no clear evidence which explains why disabled people have a considerably raised risk...
There is no clear evidence which explains why disabled people have a considerably raised risk of death from coronavirus. There is a need for further research to investigate the extent to which disabled people’s experiences in the workplace may play … Read more
Government Response
The government states that analysis has already been undertaken by the ONS regarding the association between disability and COVID-19 deaths, and separately, occupational risk, implying no further research is needed as recommended.
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33 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Second Report - Disability employm…
DWP must ensure that the Kickstart and Restart schemes are accessible to disabled people.
DWP must ensure that the Kickstart and Restart schemes are accessible to disabled people. Before September 2017, the Work Programme reported quarterly on job outcomes for disabled people: the Department should be able to do as good a job with … Read more
Government Response
The government states that the Kickstart and Restart schemes are accessible to disabled people, with support from Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisers, and that Restart providers must be Disability Confident Leaders. It commits to monitoring the characteristics of participants in employment programmes.
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34 Recommendation Accepted
Second Report - Disability employm…
DWP must demonstrate that lessons have been learnt from previous schemes and ensure that the...
DWP must demonstrate that lessons have been learnt from previous schemes and ensure that the payment model used in Restart does not disincentivise providers from supporting those who are furthest away from the labour market, including some disabled people. Although … Read more
Government Response
The government explains that the Restart Scheme's existing payment model, which includes a delivery fee, outcome payments, and an accelerator model, is designed to incentivise providers to support all participants, including those furthest from the labour market.
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35 Recommendation Deferred
Second Report - Disability employm…
The Work Capability Assessment (WCA) is not fit for purpose.
The Work Capability Assessment (WCA) is not fit for purpose. The fact that a majority of appeals against fit for work decisions are successful is evidence that it is not achieving its aim of supporting disabled people who can and … Read more
Government Response
The government states that detailed proposals for reforming the WCA will be brought forward in a White Paper in 2022, following analysis of responses to the Green Paper.
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36 Recommendation Deferred
Second Report - Disability employm…
Sanctions can have a negative impact not only on disabled people’s employment prospects, but on...
Sanctions can have a negative impact not only on disabled people’s employment prospects, but on their overall wellbeing. The Minister told us that the conditionality regime forms part of a “menu of support” and that sanctions are only used as … Read more
Government Response
The government has paused its proof of concept work for a warning system related to sanctions, and states that detailed proposals regarding conditionality, engagement, and sanctions will be brought forward in a White Paper in mid-2022 following analysis of Green Paper responses.
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37 Conclusion Acknowledged
Second Report - Disability employm…
It is encouraging to hear that the Department is beginning to take steps to rebuild...
It is encouraging to hear that the Department is beginning to take steps to rebuild its relationship with disabled people. But the Department still has a long way to go. Effective and meaningful engagement with disabled people, when developing policy … Read more
Government Response
The government describes its extensive engagement efforts for the National Disability Strategy and commits to reviewing how it engages with disabled people and their organizations.
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38 Recommendation Acknowledged
Second Report - Disability employm…
The evidence we heard suggests that the Department’s engagement with disabled people on developing its...
The evidence we heard suggests that the Department’s engagement with disabled people on developing its National Strategy for Disabled People has been poor. We recommend that the Department immediately accept SSAC’s proposal for a protocol for engaging with disabled people. … Read more
Government Response
The government details its extensive engagement through the UK Disability Survey and other events for the National Disability Strategy, and commits to reviewing its engagement methods with disabled people, but does not accept the SSAC protocol or provide a timeframe for publishing engagement information.
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Government Response AI assessment · 38 of 33 classified
Accepted 4
Accepted in Part 1
Acknowledged 5
Deferred 4
Not Addressed 24
Total 33 recs + 5 conclusions
Correspondence 1 letter
11 Jun 2021 From committee A letter to the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work following up on the Disability employment gap session
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