MP encourages ministers to invest more in supporting disabled people into work

On the floor of the House of Commons yesterday, Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron asked ministers in the Department for Work and Pensions to go further in giving disabled people the confidence and opportunities so that they can enter the world of work and thrive.

Tim highlighted a recent Disability Confident event that took place in Kendal last month, aimed at supporting local employers recruit and retain disabled people and those with health conditions.

Speaking in Parliament, Tim said: “It was a great joy to spend time last month in Kendal for the Disability Confident employer scheme. 

“It is gaining more and more members in our community and is helping people with disabilities into work. 

“Around 20% of working-age people live with a disability; many work, and many more wish to. 

“What is the Minister doing to support Disability Confident employers, to make it easier for them to employ people with disabilities and to support those with disabilities into the workforce?”

The Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms said: “I point the honourable gentleman to the Keep Britain Working review, which Sir Charlie Mayfield is leading; it addresses exactly the issue that he rightly raises. 

“We are also looking at reforming Disability Confident, which has huge potential -19,000 employers have signed up, I think. There is a lot of enthusiasm on the part of employers. 

“We want to make sure that those who sign up to the scheme then progress up the levels so that Disability Confident makes a really significant difference. I am very hopeful that it will.”