Employment among people with disabilities rising but more progress needed

New figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the gap in employment between working-age people with and without disabilities is closing.

In 2013, 43.4% of working-age disabled people were employed, compared with 77.6% of non-disabled people representing a gap of 34.2%. By 2019 however the gap fell to 28.6% with 53.2% of working-age disabled people in employment, compared to 81.8% of non-disabled people.

Unemployment among people with disabilities has roughly halved over this period, however it is still double the unemployment rate among people without disabilities. The announcement comes ahead of the International Day of People with Disabilities on 3 December.

Tom Hadley, Director of Policy at the Recruitment and Employment Confederation said:

“The employment gap falling over the last six years is good news. It shows that employers are moving from good intentions to making a tangible difference on the disability and wider inclusion agenda.

“There is still a lot more work needed, and ample opportunity, to close the gap further. Initiatives like the Recruitment Industry Disability Initiative (RIDI) and the REC’s , supported by nearly 500 businesses, are leading the way in breaking down the barriers that people with disabilities face entering and thriving in the world of work.

Find out more about the Recruitment & Employment Confederation at www.rec.uk.com.