10 Things We Learned from the DWP Select Committee Report into the Disability Employment Gap...

On Friday the Work and Pensions Select Committee published it's report into the disability employment gap. This welcome inquiry has led to some very interesting recommendations from the cross-party members of the committee. Papworth Trust submitted evidence to this inquiry back in June, after survey out staff and the disabled people we support for their ideas and feedback for what we should be advising MPs to consider, and we later gave evidence before the committee of MPs.

Here are the top ten things we learned from the committee's report:

1. A new lower rate of ESA as an incentive to work is, 'ambiguous at best'.
2. For those with higher living costs due to a disability, a change in ESA rates will leave them with lower disposable incomes.
3. The Government's target to halve the disability employment gap is the right ambition but currently unachievable. A "radical" new approach is required.
4. The Government must focus on retention and supporting people who become disabled whilst in employment.
5. The Government must work with third sector organisations who have specialist knowledge to help employers recognise the benefits of employing and retaining disabled staff.
6. The Government should consider using incentives to encourage employers to consider employing people with disabilities.
7. Sanctions and conditionality policies could make it harder, and less likely, for disabled people to move into work.
8. Work Coaches must be better trained and informed if they are to play a significant role in the new Work Capability Assessment model.
9. Deep concerns for the proposed Work Capability Assessment model. They call for a senior disability specialist role for Work Coaches to be developed.
10. The cut to ESA WRAG benefit should be delayed and not introduced from April 2017.

The very fact that the committee has made such far-reaching and poignant points and recommendations in their report demonstrates a real understanding of the issue and the impacts of welfare reform on the employment chances of disabled people.

Over the coming weeks and months, Papworth Trust will continue to work with the committee and its membership, to ensure that the Government takes this report seriously and considers these ten points when finalising its response to the committee in due course.

We believe the target of halving the disability employment gap is welcome and the decision to abandon this target is ill-judged. It is out hope that the Ministers will reconsider their stance on the target and make the radical changes needed to ensure it comes to fruition.