National Equality Panel must include real-life experience of employers and disabled people

15th September 2008

The government's National Equality Panel must include the real-life experience of employers and disabled people if it is to tackle inequality, says Employers' Forum on Disability (EFD) today (16 September).

The National Equality Panel, which was announced on September 10, is a panel of academic experts that will provide government with an analysis of inequality in Britain by the end of 2009. None of the current panel is experts in disability as a business issue.

Susan Scott-Parker, EFD's Chief Executive, said: "We welcome the government's efforts to tackle inequality. Disabled people are one of the most disadvantaged groups in society.

"One million disabled people say they actively want to work but can't find a job, yet over a third of UK businesses have hard to fill vacancies.

"We need the day-to-day experience of disabled people and employers to be included in this panel's work for it to be a success. We know from the experience of our members that it makes business sense for employers to get it right on disability - and when they do, it brings economic and social benefits.

"It is also not yet clear how this panel's work will fit with the work of the Equality and Human Rights Commission. It is vital that disability is given the importance it needs in all the government's work in tackling inequality. We look forward to work with the panel as its remit becomes clearer."

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Notes to editors

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