EFD welcomes "fit notes" to help disabled people stay in work

26th November 2008

Employers' Forum on Disability (EFD) welcomes the Government's plans for "fit notes"‚ that will help disabled people stay in work.

Following a review by Dame Carol Black earlier this year, the Department of Health has announced a series of measures to support disabled people, or people who become ill, to manage their condition.

Susan Scott-Parker, EFD's Chief Executive, said: "We welcome this historic change to the way people with disabilities will be supported to stay in work.  With one in six employees having a disability, it makes business sense for employers to support disabled staff and maximise their potential.

"We look forward to seeing the details of the Government's plans and working with them on this new system, which will need the support of both disabled people and employers to work. Employers will need support and training to understand that employing disabled talent makes economic sense.

"We know that employers that do get it right on disability experience benefits across their business. With 10 million disabled people in the UK having a combined annual spending power of £80 billion, it's a benefit no organisation can afford to miss."

Ends

Notes to editors

EFD chief executive Susan Scott-Parker is a member of the cross-government Mental Health and Employment Strategy Steering Group chaired by Dame Carol Black.

Media enquiries, please contact:

Brenda Otema, Communications & Marketing Officer
Employers' Forum on Disability
Email: brenda.otema@efd.org.uk
Telephone: 020 7403 3020

About Employers' Forum on Disability

Employers' Forum on Disability is the employers' organisation focused on disability as it affects employers and service providers. With over 300 members, EFD represents organisations that employ around 20 per cent of the UK workforce.Since its establishment in 1991, EFD has worked closely with government and other stakeholders, sharing best practice to make it easier to employ disabled people and serve disabled customers.

www.efd.org.uk