New DWP figures show 420,000 disabled people moved into work in 2024 while 420,000 disabled workers moved out of work
New figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) reveal that “For every disabled person moving into work, another is leaving”. This has led to calls for significant reforms to benefits including the Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
The Work Foundation has disclosed that 52.8 per cent of disabled people are currently employed, a figure that has remained unchanged since 2019. Meanwhile, the employment gap between disabled and non-disabled workers has increased from 28.8 per cent to 29.7 per cent.
According to estimates by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), disability benefits expenditure is expected to reach £39.1 billion for 2023-24. The fiscal watchdog anticipates this figure will rise to £58.1 billion by 2028-29.
“Disabled people continue to face stark and significant disadvantages in the labour market,” stated Ben Harrison, the director of the Work Foundation. Mr Harrison warned that “employers are missing out on accessing the talent and experience of millions of people. Greater flexibility is a key enabler for disabled people to progress in their careers.”
He continued: “The recent lack of progress indicates that punitive policies that push disabled people into ‘any job’ are unlikely to be effective. Today’s figures suggest that for every disabled person moving into work, another in employment is leaving. In 2024, 420,000 workless disabled people moved into work while 420,000 disabled workers moved out of work.
“Many disabled people still contend with inflexible employers, and we need Government and employers to make access to secure and flexible work standard practice to get and keep Britain working.”
Aman Navani, a research and policy analyst at the Work Foundation, pointed out that “nearly half of young people not in employment, education or training are classed as disabled (45.8 per cent) a rise of 24.3 percentage points since 2013/14, reports the Mirror.
“To address this worrying trend, policymakers must provide enhanced support to find work or training but recognise that additional health support, particularly mental health support, will be critical for young people to enter and remain in work,” Mr Navani said.
David Southgate, the policy manager at disability equality charity Scope, cautioned: “Cutting disability benefits would have disastrous consequences for disabled people. Life costs a lot more when you’re disabled, on average by over £1,000 every month. Benefits like PIP are a lifeline to help pay for vital equipment, support at home, or enough heating to stay well.
“We’re hearing constantly from people who already can’t afford these, so taking further support away would be devastating. The system does need reforming, but the government needs to work with disabled people to fix our broken benefits system.”
