A million disabled people want to work. But too many are shut out by workplaces that fail to see their talent. Disabled people face barriers at every stage of working life. We are underestimated, overlooked, and our rights are denied again and again.
When the Government and employers listen to disabled people, work without barriers becomes possible. Add your name and join the movement towards workplace equality.
Disabled workers move out of work at nearly twice the rate as non disabled workers. Meaning the disability employment gap has remained at around 30 percentage points for over a decade. Disabled people are also more likely to be in part time, low paid and insecure work, with fewer chances to progress. It does not have to be this way.
Not all disabled people can work, and no one should be judged or punished for being out of the workplace. But disabled people who can and want to work should have the opportunity and support to do so.
This campaign is about tackling the barriers that lock disabled people out of work. Not blaming disabled people or treating benefits as the problem.
That is why Scope is calling for action that makes work fairer, more inclusive and more accountable.
2 years ago, the Government said it would make disability pay gap reporting mandatory for all large employers. They have published draft legislation and consulted on this change, but they have not yet delivered on this promise. This is more than a tick box exercise. Pay gap reporting drives action and creates accountability. It would expose inequality, show which employers are serious about inclusion, and help make the workplace fairer for disabled people. Disabled workers earn, on average, £2.24 less an hour than non-disabled workers.
The Government must keep its promise and turn words into action.
We brought the call for disability pay gap reporting to the heart of Parliament. We handed an open letter signed by over 6000 Scope campaigners to the Leader of the House of Commons.
Our open letter called for disability pay gap reporting to be mandatory for all large employers. This will create accountability for ensuring employers are not just employing disabled people but ensuring they progress at every stage.
The Leader of the House of Commons, Sir Alan Campbell MP, is responsible for setting the Parliamentary timetable. We urged him to bring forward this legislation urgently. He welcomed the open letter, saying he always appreciates hearing from Scope campaigners. He also confirmed that this remains a priority for the Government.
We will not stop until the Government fulfills their promise. Together, we can urge the Government to stop pushing disabled people out of work.
Join the movement to hear about future campaign actions and help create a world of work without barriers.
This campaign has been informed by the experiences of disabled people through research, surveys and conversations about employment. Their experiences show what is broken and what needs to change.
