Latest figures published by the Department for Work and Pensions show a disability employment rate gap of 28.1%
The Department for Work and Pensions and the Department of Health and Social Care published figures at the end of March regarding the employment of disabled people. The statistics were released by the government as part of its goal to get more disabled people in work.
The figures show that the employment rate for working age disabled people was 54.1% in 2019. By contrast, the employment rate for non-disabled people stood at 82.2% – a difference of 28.1%. The same report also showed that disabled people were nearly twice as likely to move out of work compared to non-disabled people.
The improved rates of employment for disabled people have been put down to the increased size of the disabled population, as well as employment rates generally being on the rise. Changes in the way that disabilities are categorised since the introduction of the Equality Act 2010, and greater awareness and understanding of mental health issues are also likely key factors in affecting employers’ ability to support employees to remain in, or obtain employment.
Overall, the figures suggest that the employment rate of disabled people is steadily increasing and the disability employment rate gap is narrowing, particularly since 1998 when it was approximately 40%. Between 2017 and 2027, the government aims to see one million more disabled people in work. While the commitment to reduce the disability employment rate gap has shown positive results, there is still some way to go to meet this ambitious target.
