Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Access to Work: People with Disabilities

Wednesday 28 January 2026 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Sarah Owen raised concerns about the high disability employment gap in the UK, highlighting issues with infrastructure and employer discrimination.
  • Vikki Slade inquired about a constituent's denied Access to Work application and the long delay in receiving an acknowledgment of her complaint.
  • The Minister acknowledged delays in Access to Work due to increased demand and stated that reforms are being proposed following a consultation.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sarah Owen Lab Luton North
Employment Environment
Context

More than half of disabled people in the UK find it difficult to get or keep a job, and only 6% of those with learning disabilities are employed. Infrastructure challenges, such as inaccessible train stations, exacerbate employment barriers.

Question

Nearly half of disabled people in the UK say that they feel it is harder to get or keep a job. It is even worse for those with learning disabilities—just 6% find their way into the workplace. The problem is not just employer discrimination; it is the UK’s infrastructure. Three in four train stations are not step-free. Stations such as mine in Leagrave are completely out of bounds for people who are physically disabled. What is the Minister doing to ensure that cross-departmental working meets the need of disabled people to access public spaces and the workforce?

Answer from The Minister for Social Security and Disability (Sir Stephen Timms)

My hon. Friend is absolutely right: the disability employment gap is too big. Every Department has a lead Minister on disability and I chair regular meetings. The Minister for Roads and Buses champions disabled people at the Department for Transport, and the rail accessibility road map sets out planned improvements for disabled people ahead of the establishment of Great British Railways.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Infrastructure specifics were not addressed directly; only referenced general cross-departmental working.

How: Referencing Regular Meetings, Mentioning Rail Accessibility Road Map

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Q2 Vikki Slade Lib Dem Mid Dorset and North Poole
Benefits & Welfare
Context

A constituent named Becky has been denied Access to Work support despite relying on it. It took eight months just to receive an acknowledgement of her complaint.

Question

My constituent Becky relies on Access to Work, but her application was denied and it has taken eight months just to receive an acknowledgement of her complaint to the Independent Case Examiner. We cannot progress an ombudsman claim until that is dealt with. What is the Department for Work and Pensions doing to arrange for complaints to be dealt with more quickly so that people can get back into work?

Answer from The Minister for Social Security and Disability (Sir Stephen Timms)

I would be grateful if the hon. Lady would let me have a note on the hold-up with that particular complaint. There are delays with Access to Work, reflecting the big surge in demand for it, and that is why we have proposed reform. We have consulted on reform, and we will come back with our proposals quite soon.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a timeline or specific action plan to address delays.

How: Requesting Additional Information, Mentioning Proposed Reforms

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