Employers need clarity on direction of Access to Work scheme, says Business Disability Forum

Business Disability Forum has called for greater clarity for employers and disabled people on the direction of Access to Work, following the publication of the National Audit Office’s report on the DWP’s operation of the Government scheme today (6 February). 

Angela Matthews, Director of Public Policy and Research at Business Disability Forum, said:

“Business Disability Forum has long called for the reform of the Access to Work scheme. The scheme is one of the most critical sources of support for disabled people to enter and stay in work and for the Government to meet its aim of getting more disabled people into employment, but it is currently overwhelmed, under invested in, and under resourced. The findings of this report support what we are hearing from our members that delays in processing new awards, renewing existing awards and paying back employers for costs incurred are having a detrimental effect on disabled people, employers and the work being done to reduce the disability employment gap. 

“Changes in practice around case management are very real and are already negatively impacting disabled people and employers, even though policy around Access to Work has not changed and is still being discussed and consulted on. We need clear direction from the Government to end this uncertainty and for rules around Access to Work to be clarified and applied fairly.”