1m people on DWP disability benefits 'want to work but are stopped by employers'

Campaigners say around a million disabled people in the UK want to work but are prevented by employers' negative attitudes and inflexible working practices. Chancellor Rachel Reeves pledged in her Budget to tackle economic inactivity and reduce the welfare bill through a major reform of disability benefits, a crackdown on fraud, and measures to be announced in a Get Britain Working white paper.

Ms Reeves said the upcoming overhaul of health and disability benefits would include a revamp of the work capability assessment. This determines whether someone needs to find a job or will receive an incapacity payment of £416 a month added to their Universal Credit allowance. Many claimants also receive the separate disability benefit Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

With the Chancellor referring to "savings" from these work assessment changes, it's believed fewer people will get the additional amount of Universal Credit and more people will be found fit for work. The charity Scope says many people with disabilities and long-term mental and physical health conditions do want to move into employment but encounter massive barriers that prevent them from doing so.

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Britain's soaring welfare bill was raised in a Budget discussion on TalkTV, which has been criticised by Scope for its handling of the subject. James Taylor, executive director of strategy and social change at disability equality charity Scope, said the views expressed on the show about people who claim benefits "belong in the past."

He added: "Calling people "parasites" is utterly disgraceful and fuels a dangerous and damaging narrative. No disabled person who draws on the benefits system is living a life of luxury. In fact, for many, it's the complete opposite.

"Huge numbers of disabled people are unable to afford the basics to have a decent standard of living, even with benefits. On top of this many disabled people are pushing hard for jobs. There are a million disabled people in the UK who want to work but are denied the opportunity because of employers' negative attitudes, delays getting the right support and inflexible working practices.

"Benefits serve a vital function in society. Like the NHS, they are a service that any of us might need to draw on at any time in life. Putting an end to the use of harmful language like this helps move us one step further towards an equal future for all."

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