There are around 700,000 disabled people in the UK who want to work but are not in employment, according to the Department for Work and Pensions. Disabled people also leave jobs at twice the rate of non-disabled colleagues.
There is a persistent “disability employment gap”, which is the difference in employment rates between disabled and non-disabled people. Right now, the gap stands at 28%.
A recent government review revealed that the gap is widest for men, older people aged 50 to 64, people with no qualifications, and those living in social housing. Regionally, it is most marked in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and the north of England.
Disabled people are also more likely to be in part-time or lower-skilled roles, and more likely to be “under-employed”, looking for more hours or a different job.
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