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More help for SMEs to hire disabled workers

Royal National Institute of Blind People

2 min read Partner content

The Royal National Institute of Blind People has welcomed changes to the Government’s disability employment programme announced today.

The Access to Work programme provides financial help towards the extra costs faced by disabled people at work, such as travel costs, specially adapted equipment and support workers.

Small businesses with up to 49 employees will no longer pay a contribution towards the extra costs faced by disabled people in work, saving them up to £2,300 per employee who uses the fund.

Disabled entrepreneurs and small businesses also will benefit from more support to pay for specialised equipment and other costs faced by disabled people in work.

Disabled jobseekers who want to set up their own business through the New Enterprise Allowance will now be eligible for Access to Work funding from when they start to receive Job Seekers Allowance.

Phillip Connolly, Campaigns Officer at the RNIB, said:

"RNIB welcomes the minister's commitment to speeding up Access to Work applications, which could lead to more SMEs employing disabled people and make it easier for disabled people to progress within a career.

“We now hope that the minister will turn her attention to resolving the underspend in the Access to Work programme and ensuring everyone who needs support is getting it. One option could include extending Access to Work support for adults over 25 doing appropriate voluntary work.”

In a press statement DWP said:

“Access to Work has previously been called ‘the Government’s best kept secret’ so to raise awareness of the changes, the Government will expand the marketing campaign – targeting particularly at young disabled people and those with mental health conditions.”

Minister for Disabled People Esther McVey said:

"Work is more than a job – it’s one of the best ways to increase independence, life fulfilment, social engagement and is central to someone’s identity. And although the disability employment rate has increased over recent years, there is still more we need to do to close the gap with non-disabled people.

“That is why we are now making these changes to Access to Work, to widen the scope of those who can benefit from this support, because disabled people aspire to the same jobs as everyone else.

"By opening up the Access to Work programme it will give disabled people more opportunities to have the same choice of jobs as everyone else, in every sector from hairdressing to engineering, and at every level."

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