Cameron's 'Work for Welfare' doesn't help disabled people

For the Conservative Party's 'Work for Welfare' planned reform benefits to be successful, they must specifically include disabled people says Employers' Forum on Disability.

Although the Conservatives plan to reassess and cut the number of people on incapacity benefit by 200,000, no specific mention is made of how disabled people will be attracted into work, or how employers can be supported to employ and retain those furthest from the job market.

EFD argues that any government should address the one million disabled people trapped on benefits that want to work but cannot because of barriers in the system faced by them and by the employers that have the jobs.

EFD chief executive Susan Scott-Parker says: "Community work to equip unemployed people with the skills employers need is only part of the answer - EFD members say they find it difficult to attract all disadvantaged job seekers, including disabled people. Employer involvement in any plans for work experience is vital. David Cameron makes no reference to how this will happen, or how private sector providers will meet the specific needs of disabled people and potential employers. "This would include how benefits assessors and employers would be equipped to deal with fluctuating conditions, such as mental health conditions, HIV or cancer, but there is no mention of this. The types of community programmes talked about will give soft skills like time keeping and team work. These are all important of course but what employers really need is specific skills for specific vacancies. The Conservative Party needs to be more specific about its plans for benefit reform and we would welcome the opportunity to discuss this with them."