CIPD consultation response: Pathways to work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper

Given the barriers many employers experience in recruiting, supporting and managing disabled people and those with health conditions, and the lack of a wider, well-developed health and work infrastructure, we need bold and systemic change to have a real impact on closing the disability employment gap. There’s a clear need for better access to trusted guidance, occupational health services, and people management support — especially for small businesses without in-house HR or occupational health expertise.

In our response to this consultation, we welcome the government’s Keep Britain Working Review and highlight key actions for government and employers, to improve workplace inclusion:

• Help employers support disabled people and those with health conditions to enter or stay in work.
• The importance of the Access to Work scheme and how this can better support employers and employees. We call for improvements to government schemes like Disability Confident and Access to Work, making them more accessible, better funded, and focused on both recruitment and retention.
• Promote flexible working and review the Equality Act 2010 to reflect today’s health and workplace realities.

These changes are essential to building healthier, more inclusive, and productive workplaces across the UK.