Disability employment gap inquiry: Work and Pensions Committee to question charities and policy experts

Wednesday 28^th April at 9.30am

The Work and Pensions Committeewill take evidence from disability support charities and policy experts as it continues its inquiry into the disability employment gap.

The inquiry is investigating 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.

This latest session is expected to cover issues around measuring the gap as well as the employment support available for people with specific conditions and disabilities. MPs could also ask about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on disabled people’s employment rates, the support provided by the benefits system and the Government’s plans for a National Strategy for Disabled People.

The disability employment gap is the difference between the employment rates of disabled and non-disabled people. Official data on disabled peoples’ employment rates shows a gap of 28.6 percentage points, with 53.2% of disabled people in employment compared with 81.8% non-disabled people.

Transcripts of previous sessions and written evidence received as part of the inquiry are available on the Committee’s website.

Witness schedule:

Wednesday 28^th April

At 9.30am

• Rob Geaney,Head of Campaigns and Public Affairs, RNID
• Martin Sigsworth,Senior Employment Manager, Pocklington Trust
• Daniel Jennings,Senior Policy and Campaigns Officer, Epilepsy Action

At around 10.30am

• Sarah Rawlings,Executive Director of Research, MS Society
• Catherine Hale,Founder and Director, Chronic Illness Inclusion Project
• Professor Karen Walker-Bone,Director of the National Centre for Musculoskeletal Health and Work, Versus Arthritis