Business Disability Forum supports findings of Access to Work inquiry

London, UK – Business Disability Forum (BDF) welcomes the findings of the Work and Pensions Select Committee inquiry into the Access to Work scheme, which were published today in a report entitled 'Improving Access to Work for disabled people'. 

BDF provided evidence as a witness at the inquiry session on 15 October, which focussed on rules surrounding the provision of support workers, supporting people with mental health issues and cost-sharing arrangements with employers.

Mark Harper MP, Minister for Disabled People, provided evidence as a witness at the final inquiry session on 29 October. Mr Harper clarified that Access to Work is a discretionary scheme that isn't governed by statutory rules, distinguishing it from a benefit. "One of the things I think we could do much better is be much more transparent," Mr Harper said. "For example, the guidance is just guidance. It's not the law. It's guidance for those that make decisions on the awards."

BDF supports the implementation of a number of key recommendations the Committee has made for improving the scheme, increasing transparency and formalising guidance. These include:

• Securing additional funding for the scheme from HM Treasury to support the employment of higher numbers of disabled people.
• Given 1 in 6 employees experience mental ill health in any one year, enabling more access to the support available to people with mental health issues through better marketing and opening up referral routes. It is unacceptable that there has been a 50% reduction in referrals to the Workplace Mental Health Support Service (WMHSS).
• Increased clarity and transparency of decision-making and processes; and a move away from what the Committee report labels as a 'box ticking, one size fits all' approach.
• Determination to improve the quality of service by training staff to increase disability awareness and establishing more specialist teams.  

George Selvanera, Director of Policy, Services and Communications at BDF said:

"We welcome key recommendations of the report to improve Access to Work. Now we encourage DWP to work to rebuild trust with disabled people and employers, which has been eroded throughout the last two years.  

DWP needs to increase engagement with employers to make sure that any support arrangements that are put in place enable disabled people to be successful in their roles and be tax paying citizens rather than benefits recipients."

In early 2015, BDF will work with the Minister for Disabled People, DWP and Remploy to increase awareness of the Workplace Mental Health Support Service (WMHSS) through a series of employer awareness raising events.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• Business Disability Forum represents some 400 organisations that employ 20% of the UK workforce. Smart organisations work with Business Disability Forum to improve their business performance. We have more than twenty years’ experience of equipping people with the expertise to create confident organisations by improving the understanding of disability in business, removing barriers and making adjustments for individuals. Here is a short video about the Forum:http://businessdisabilityforum.org.uk/why-bother/the-evidence.
• Access to Work (AtW) is a world-class labour market intervention designed to remove barriers that prevent disabled people from being part of the workforce and contributing to the UK economy. For more information on Access to Work, visit the Department of Work Pensions website: https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work/overview
• For further comment, please contact Ashley Teaupa, Interim Communications and Marketing Manager: ashleyt@businessdisabilityforum.org.uk or 020 7089 463.

Ashley Teaupa - Interim Communications and Marketing Manager

Email: ashleyt@businessdisabilityforum.org.uk | Phone: 020 7089 2463

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