Our impact 2024 to 2025

Our strategy for An Equal Future with disabled people is a 10 year strategy focussing on 3 long term goals: 

• Ending the disability price tag
• Closing the Disability Employment Gap
• Transforming attitudes.  

This year, we focused on tackling the extra costs disabled people face. Especially in response to the government’s green paper on disability benefits. With living costs rising, it has never been more urgent to act.

Disabled people deserve the same standard of living as everyone else. But right now, life costs more when you’re disabled.

We have worked to make the benefits system fairer and to ensure the government understands the need for change.  We’ve pushed for better financial support for energy costs.

When the government published its disability benefits Green Paper, disabled people told us they feared losing vital support. These colossal cuts to benefits would be catastrophic for disabled people’s living standards and independence. 

We launched our Cost of Cuts campaign to fight back. Scope led a strong response across the sector, making sure disabled people’s voices were heard.

• We supported over 4,854 people to respond to the consultation through our online tool.
• Our petition calling to protect Personal Independence Payment (PIP) reached 100,000 signatures. 
• We held a packed event in Parliament attended by over 100 MPs and peers. Disabled campaigners shared how the proposed changes would affect their lives.
• We challenged harmful media narratives, shared accessible information, and submitted our own consultation response based on what disabled people told us. 
• Our TikTok post about the Green Paper had one of our highest ever engagement rates – showing how strongly this issue resonates with the public. 

Thanks to this strong sector response, led by Scope, we’ve already seen the impact:

• The Government dropped rumoured plans to freeze or means test Personal Independence Payment (PIP). This is a major win that protects this essential benefit for millions of disabled people.
• They scaled back their planned cuts from £11 billion to £6.5 billion. That’s £4.5 billion of potential cuts that disabled people no longer face.
• They agreed to consult on a new ‘Right to Try Work’ scheme, which could give disabled people more choice and control over how they engage with work, without the threat of losing support.

We’ve also ramped up our work in Parliament and with decision makers:

• We have briefed every Member of Parliament to help them understand the impact of the proposals and speak up for change.
• We coordinated an open letter to the Chancellor, backed by over 120 organisations from across the disability sector, to show united opposition to the cuts.
• We held a parliamentary drop-in event, with 95 MPs. We spoke at MP roundtables, and met with Labour backbenchers – all to make sure disabled people’s concerns are heard at every level.

This campaign shows the power of disabled people speaking out – and the difference we can make when we work together.

Carol lives with multiple long-term conditions. Despite the challenges, she works full-time and runs her own business. She relies on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) to help cover extra living costs.

“PIP is one of the big things that keeps me and so many others in work, and they’re threatening to cut that or take it away. It may force some people out of work,” Carol says.

She uses the £400 a month to help with her £900 monthly disability costs including medical treatments, adaptive cutlery, transport to hospital appointments and expenses for her assistance dog, Bella.

“I have to work because nobody else is paying for my needs. And it’s good to work. It’s good for me,” Carol explains.

Carol rejects the idea that disabled people should be forced into work, pointing out that many are already working.

“The rhetoric about getting disabled people into work is infuriating. I’m already working and so are millions of other disabled people, despite the fact that a great deal of employment is inaccessible” she says.

Despite her strong work ethic, Carol fears losing PIP. “If I were to lose my financial support, that could force me out of my jobs,” she shares.

She also manages multiple health conditions, saying, “Managing multiple medical conditions without a care pathway is a full-time job.”

For Carol, PIP is a lifeline, not a handout.

“I think the government should be helping us to be independent rather than persecuting us for trying really hard and overcoming the many barriers we face". "That’s the whole point of independence payments", she concludes

We continued to push for long term change on the extra costs disabled people face.

At the Labour Party Conference, we launched our latest Disability Price Tag report. This powerful report shows just how much more life costs when you're disabled.

We worked with disabled people to bring the data to life. Through in depth interviews, disabled people shared how these extra costs affect their everyday lives. From heating and food, to mobility aids and transport. Their stories showed the human impact behind the numbers.

Our report got the attention of key decision makers. Debbie Abrahams MP, who chairs the Department for Work and Pensions Select Committee, praised our work and said she plans to use our findings in Parliament. This means our research could directly influence future debates and decisions about support for disabled people.

By combining powerful data with real life experiences, we’re showing just how urgent it is to fix the financial inequality disabled people face. And we’re making it harder for politicians to ignore.

Energy bills are one of the biggest extra costs disabled people face. That’s why we’re campaigning for discounted energy bills to ease the pressure and help disabled households stay warm and well. 

We welcomed the government’s plan to expand the Warm Home Discount in 2025 to 2026. But we know this isn’t enough. We’re calling for a full review of the scheme’s eligibility rules and a long term commitment to include disabled people receiving benefits. We’re also pushing for a “help to repay” scheme for energy related debts.

A social tariff could lift 1.4 million disabled households out of fuel poverty. And thanks to our campaigning, the issue is now high on the political agenda.

Here’s the difference we’ve made:

• MPs raised the need for discounted energy bills in Parliament, including through a 10 minute rule bill and special debates. These are powerful tools that help build cross party support and push issues up the political agenda.
• Ed Miliband, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, raised the issue in a committee meeting, – showing senior ministers are now taking the idea seriously.
• Energy Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh publicly said she supports a social tariff and wants to take action. This is a major step forward, showing real political will.
• Scope’s research was cited in Parliament by the Minister for Energy Consumers. This is clear evidence that our work is directly influencing government thinking.
• Ofgem has committed to action, agreeing to introduce a debt relief scheme in 2025/26 and to review how energy companies support customers in debt.
• We’ve commissioned new research into the cost of introducing a social tariff. This work was requested by government officials, was published in August 2025 and will help make the case for change.

We’ve also made sure decision makers hear directly from disabled people:

• We hosted a Department for Energy Security and Net Zero visit in Leeds, where civil servants heard first hand how rising energy costs are affecting disabled households.
• We took part in a Parliamentary drop in event, speaking directly with 50 MPs about the urgent need for discounted energy bills.
• We responded to multiple government consultations on energy, water and other essential services, making sure disabled people’s experiences shape the policies that affect their everyday lives.

Energy is one of the biggest extra costs disabled people face. This year we supported thousands of people to manage their bills and stay safe and warm. We worked with the energy industry to drive systemic change. 

Working with the energy industry

Our Scope Utilities Membership (SUM) brings together energy, water and gas networks to improve support for disabled people. SUM Members backed our call for a social energy tariff and supported our Get Ready for Winter campaign.

Support in local communities

117,540 people across Manchester, East Anglia, Stoke on Trent, and London have already received support from Scope’s Community Disability Energy Advice Service, thanks to a grant from Cadent for £1.8 million over two years. 

The service is designed to make sure disabled people who are digitally excluded don’t miss out on vital energy advice and support, by reaching them in their local communities. 

• 983 individuals receiving personalised energy advice 
• 5,388 engaging through energy workshops 
• 111,169 people reached through community projects and retail initiatives in our shops 

By helping disabled people manage high energy costs, we are ensuring that they stay safe, warm, and in control of their bills. 

Specialist energy advice across the UK

Scope’s Disability Energy Support service helps reduce the extra energy costs disabled people face. We expanded our Disability Energy Support service providing free, tailored advice to disabled people and households across England, Scotland, and Wales. 

9,650 disabled people have already been supported, thanks to a £3.2 million collaboration with Cadent, SGN, Wales & West Utilities and Northern Gas Networks over two years. 

Together, this funding has enabled us to: 

• Provide expert advice over phone and email 
• Our energy advice service identified estimated savings of over £1 million for disabled people
• Provide electric throws and energy vouchers 
• Expand our team, with more advisers and new specialist roles focused on grants and benefits 

Without this funding, we could not have supported disabled households through winter 2024 and beyond.  

For Hasan, the cost of energy isn’t just a financial worry, it’s a health risk. Living with several long term health conditions, he needs warmth to stay well. But rising energy bills force him to make tough choices.

“I have to spend £175 of my PIP just to keep warm. That leaves me with only £370 for everything else. Should I really be afraid to turn on the heating, knowing it affects my health?”

Hasan contacted Scope’s Disability Energy Support Service for help. The service gave him a voucher and an electric blanket, which have helped him stay comfortable and manage his energy costs.

“Scope was really helpful. They helped me get a voucher to put credit on my account. They also sent me an electric blanket, which made a real difference.”

But the bigger problem is still there. Disabled people face extra costs that aren’t being recognised. This needs to change.

Hasan backs our call for a social energy tariff. A fairer energy rate for disabled people who need to use more energy.

“If there was a social energy tariff, I wouldn’t have to worry about the heating. My health wouldn’t suffer, and I could focus on living, not just surviving.”

At Scope, we believe every disabled person who wants to work should be able to find, stay in, and progress in a job that’s right for them. Our employment services make that possible by providing the support they need every step of the way.

This year, we’ve made a real impact:

• Over 2,000 disabled people moved closer to work.
• Nearly 400 disabled people secured jobs that matched their skills and goals.
• 85% of people we supported were still in work after 13 weeks.
• 68% stayed in work for 26 weeks or more.
• In Wales, our Working on Wellbeing service supported 148 disabled people. And our partners Legacy in the Community, Whitehead Ross, Resource Wales, and Disability Can Do supported a further 292 with employment support. 

Our services aren’t just helping disabled people find jobs. They’re proving that tailored, personalised support works. These results are showing government and employers what is possible when support is built around the individual.

One of the ways we’re leading change is through our Support to Work model, which has already helped many disabled people stay in work long term. We’re calling on the government to expand this model across the country, to help even more disabled people keep their jobs and thrive.

We’re also using our impact to influence policy:

• We’ve shown the government how the Support to Work model can double the number of disabled people who stay in work for 26 weeks or more.
• We gave evidence to the Sick Pay Committee, pushing for a system that works better for disabled people.
• We welcomed the Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms, to see our services in action and talk about the barriers disabled people face in the job market.
• We responded to the Get Britain Working white paper, securing media coverage and reinforcing Scope’s role as a trusted voice for change.

By making the case for personalised support and scaling up services like Support to Work, we’re working towards closing the disability employment gap once and for all.

Steph had been out of work for 6 years due to health challenges. She felt isolated and struggled with chronic pain.

“Before I started with Scope’s employment service, I was feeling lost. I had no personal direction,” she says. Despite wanting to return to work, her biggest fear was failing. “I knew I was ready to work again, but I didn’t want the stress of doing it alone.”

When Steph began working with Scope’s employment service in October 2024, her adviser helped her rebuild her confidence.

“She just got me,” says Steph. “She gave me the confidence to be open about my diagnosis. She helped me make confident decisions about when to disclose my disability.”

With support from her adviser, Steph updated her CV and practiced her interview skills. “I’ve been in jobs before where I was overwhelmed because of undiagnosed ADHD. Now I can be open about it.”

Steph's confidence grew, and new opportunities followed. “3 months ago, I wasn’t doing anything. Now, I’m facing a lot of opportunities.”

Step started a new role in February.

“I absolutely love it. The work is incredibly varied, with each day presenting new challenges, which suits my personality perfectly. The diversity of the role keeps me engaged, motivated, and energised.”

Steph’s experience with Scope’s employment service helped her pursue her goals. It also inspired her to help others. “Without the support, I wouldn’t have had the clarity to say, ‘This is what I need.’”

Through our partnerships with employers, like Evri, we are working with them to improve the experience of disabled colleagues as well as provide tools and resources to increase the recruitment and retention of disabled people.  

We have campaigned for mandatory disability pay gap reporting and contributed to the government review of Disability Confident.  Scope actively participates in the Business Leaders Group of Disability Confident and we have contributed to the Mayfield review introducing some of the disabled people we work with to provide their first hand experiences of seeking to stay in work.

In May 2024, Scope acquired PurpleSpace Limited which is the world’s only networking and professional development hub for disabled employees, networks and employee resource groups (ERGs).

PurpleSpace supports more than 4,500 disability network leaders across 163 organisations in over 60 countries. It helps organisations like HSBC and Sanofi to grow inclusive workplace cultures. As a founding partner of its global #PositivelyPurple campaign, Scope has long championed PurpleSpace’s work, helping employers recognise the value of lived experience. This is vital in closing the disability employment gap.

In 2024, PurpleSpace’s Global Summit gathered nearly 200 network leaders from businesses around the world across 12 international hubs, with over 250 people attending the main event in London. During this event, the community identified 3 global priorities for employers to promote inclusion:

• listening to disabled employees and customers
• improving workplace adjustments
• and sharing real stories from disabled people at work.

We want to see a more inclusive society where attitudes towards disability, disabled people, and disabled families are improved. We are currently in a research phase for this goal and identified from our research that changing attitudes in the media, workplaces and with young people is likely to have the most impact.  Steps taken so far include creating a new brand identity that amplifies the truths and lives of disabled people, challenging negative stereotypes of disabled people in the media and sharing the stories of disabled people.

We launched our refreshed brand in September 2024 with our new strapline “Creating equal futures with disabled people”. It reflects a vibrant, inclusive identity shaped by over 1,000 disabled people, carers and parents through surveys, focus groups and lived experience panels.  We introduced over 100 accessibility improvements to our new look, including testing 3,000 colour combinations and adopting the Labil Grotesk font for readability.  Our refreshed brand is enticing and engaging. It will support us to reach more people and make new connections, essential in building a movement for social change. We want all disabled people to know that they can reach out to us for support. And we want to encourage more people to get involved by speaking out, campaigning and volunteering.

At the heart of our launch campaign was Don’t Hold Back, a 60-second spirit film set to The Chemical Brothers’ song Galvanize. The film is a rallying cry for equality, powered by authentic voices and lived experience. It features disabled actors and influencers like Fats Timbo and Tylan Grant and portrays everyday barriers such as broken lifts and judgmental stares, and calls viewers to join a movement for change.  The film launched across social media and digital screens in 43 shopping centres, reaching wide audiences. Website traffic rose by almost 18 per cent post-launch, and over 700 campaigner actions occurred after the brand went live.  

The Scope Awards celebrate the people and organisations who are working to end disability inequality. The Awards amplify disabled voices and share powerful stories of inclusion. By celebrating these successes, they help to challenge attitudes, showing what’s possible when disabled people are valued and included.

Launched in 2022, the Awards are now a key part of Scope’s work to transform attitudes. They bring together disabled people, allies, campaigners and businesses to recognise progress and inspire action.

In 2025, we received over 600 nominations. Ths is double the number from the year before. We also secured our first headline sponsor, Evri. And Metro came on board as our media partner. This helped us reach new audiences and grow support.

Winners are chosen by an independent panel of judges, including disabled campaigners, business leaders, journalists and TV personalities.

The Scope Awards are more than just a celebration. They’re a powerful way to shift perceptions and move us closer to a society where disabled people have the same opportunities as everyone else.

Jay joined Scope’s online community during the pandemic. He quickly found it to be a “lifeline”. Through virtual events, speaker sessions and social meetups, he found support, made connections and felt inspired.

“It opened doors I didn’t know were possible,” Jay says.

Through his involvement in the community, Jay made meaningful friendships. He started sharing his experiences through poems. His words resonated with others. “People tell me, ‘You’ve uplifted me,’” he shares.

As a British-Indian man, Jay has noticed the lack of visible representation of disabled people, especially those from diverse backgrounds. He believes more representation is essential to challenge stereotypes and shift attitudes.

“I’ve only seen Shani Dhanda. Change needs to happen,” he says.

Now an active member of the Scope Assembly, Jay uses his voice to advocate for other disabled people. He ensures their stories are heard and valued.

“It’s about making sure our voices are heard,” he says.

For Jay, Scope’s online community has been more than just a space for support. It has empowered him to share his story, connect with others, and help change attitudes towards disability.

This year, we supported 4.6 million disabled people through our services, online advice, and community.

Our helpline provided expert information and advice to 31,500 disabled people, helping them navigate crucial challenges.

Our website played a central role in connecting people to support, with nearly 4 million users accessing the help they needed:

• 1.8 million people visited our online advice and support pages.
• 2 million people engaged with our online community forum, finding a space to connect and share experiences.

We also expanded our direct cerebral palsy support across our communities, supporting 455 individuals through specialist case work and a further 322 individuals through our online community. We delivered training and awareness sessions attended by 698 people, strengthening understanding and visibility of Cerebral Palsy. 

These services make a real difference in disabled people's lives, offering guidance, reducing uncertainty, and helping disabled people access the support they deserve.

2025 to 2026 will be another year of change at Scope. We know that if we don’t change, we will not create an equal future with the 1 in 4 of us who are disabled. To make a real impact, we need to approach our work in new and different ways. We will be more agile, flexible and responsive to a changing world. We will focus on doing fewer, bigger things better. And we will be laser focused on our goals.

Ending the disability price tag

We will work towards ending the disability price tag by continuing to challenge government’s proposed cuts to benefits and by continuing to play an active role in government reviews, working with disabled people to share our positive vision for PIP.

We will continue our campaigning for a social energy tariff and work to secure support for emergency energy services.

Closing the disability employment gap

Our employment services seek to transform the experience of disabled job seekers and will provide evidence of best practice so that we can influence government.  We want to make sure that government plans for employment support make a real difference to reduce the disability employment gap.  We will continue to work with our partners and through PurpleSpace to influence employers to improve the workplace for disabled people. 

Transforming attitudes

Last year we focussed on research to ensure that our work would be impact driven and based on evidence.  This year we are planning a pilot programme for launch next year which will influence young people’s attitudes to disability.  We will then roll-out further based on success.

Income generation

We cannot do any of this if we do not grow our income. We need to reach new supporters through engaging fundraising campaigns. And continue to develop and deepen our relationships with organisations committed to supporting disability equality.  We are confident that the changes we have made in retail will see us drive more income on the high street and expand online.  In fundraising we continue to work with our corporate partners, develop our digital channels and we plan to build our activity in community and events and appeal to our campaigners.