People who are neurodiverse will benefit from better employment
prospects and more inclusive workplaces thanks to the work and
advice of a new expert panel launched today [Thursday
30th January].
The panel – headed up by Professor Amanda Kirby and comprising of
leading academics in the neurodiversity field - will develop
recommendations for ministers this summer, as part of the
Government's Plan for Change, which will put money back into
people's pockets, boost living standards, and drive economic
growth.
The latest employment figures demonstrate the stark reality for
many, with the employment rate for disabled people with autism at
31% compared to 54.7% for all disabled people – highlighting a
significant gap for some neurodiverse people.
The work of the panel will focus on what actions employers can
take to foster a more inclusive workplace but also what actions
the Government can introduce to break down barriers to
opportunity for people with a neurodiverse condition, such as
autism.
Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir , said:
“For too long disabled people and those with a neurodiversity
condition have been left behind, ignored, and not given the
support they need to get into work.
“As part of our Plan for Change, we will turn this around, and
with the expertise of these leading academics we will achieve our
mission of supporting neurodivergent people into the workplace
and reaching our 80% employment rate ambition.”
Building on and broadening previous neurodiversity work, the
panel met yesterday [January 29] for the first time to begin work
on supporting the Government's drive to improve the
employment experiences of neurodivergent people.
Chair of the Academic Panel, Professor Amanda Kirby,
said:
"I am delighted to chair this panel in what I see is an important
and essential piece of work considering how we can drive forward
neuroinclusive practices in workplaces to maximise the potential
of all and make this become 'business as usual'”
This panel follows the launch of the Keep Britain Working review,
led by Sir Charlie Mayfield, to explore how businesses and
government can collaborate to unlock disabled talent.
The latest figures show the disability inactivity rate was 41.7%
in Q3 2024, compared to 14.7% for non-disabled people. Improving
the employment prospect of disabled people and helping them
achieve independence is at the heart of the Government's health
and disability reforms.
Building on our Get Britain Working White Paper, the Government
will bring forward proposals in the spring to reform the welfare
system to help people who can work secure employment.
The Government will work closely with charities, disabled people
and people with health conditions to ensure their voices are at
the centre of any policy changes which affect them and to move
beyond a binary system of fit or not fit to work.
