GOVERNMENT’S ACCESS TO WORK: INCREASING DISABLED WORKERS’ PROSPECTS.

06 September 2018

In July of this year, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) promised to inject money in to organisations, in order to provide the essential adjustments needed to increase employment opportunities for workers with disabilities.

The DWP is now acting on this promise alongside Watford MP, Richard Harrington, who recently announced an increase in funding to the Watford area, which will benefit disabled workers. This comes after Mr Harrington invited fellow MP Sarah Newton, the Disabilities Minister, to the Watford Workshop to discuss the end of the Work Choice employment programme, alongside its Chief Executive, Linda McIntyre, who stated:

“I am thrilled by this announcement, as it clearly shows the government’s commitment to supporting disabled people in work”.

Mr Harrington added:

“I’m delighted that the government is providing more funding for places like Watford Workshop, following the Minister’s visit earlier this year”.

Although the Work Choice programme comes to an end in March 2019, it will not stop support for workers with disabilities, as the government has introduced the Access to Work scheme. This scheme will commence in April 2019 through to 2021, with the aim of providing the necessary funding for organisations such as the Watford Workshop.

Under the Access to Work scheme, the Watford Workshop will receive £5,000 per year for each disabled individual situated in a Work Choice ‘Protected Place’. This, according to Mr Harrington, is a much-needed incentive: 

“This announcement means that more payments will not only be made available for existing employees, but also for the charity to employ more disabled people, enabling even more people in Watford to access support”.

It is anticipated that the funding will be implemented across the country by the end of 2019, enabling essential opportunities which disabled individuals are in desperate need of.

The influx of job opportunities for people with disabilities, will also enable organisations to re-evaluate their policies and procedures to avoid disability discrimination.

Here at Three Graces Legal we can assist you with a claim for Disability Discrimination, contact us at 0151 659 1070.