'Golden hellos' for unemployed should say goodbye to barriers for disabled people

12th January 2009

Government plans to prevent an army of long-term unemployed are welcome, but need to be accessible to disabled people to be a success, says Employers' Forum on Disability (EFD).

Gordon Brown today promised to help 500,000 people into work or training. Employers would be given ‘golden hellos' of up to £2,500 for every person they train who has been unemployed for more than six months.

Susan Scott-Parker, Chief Executive of EFD, said: "We welcome government efforts to work with employers to do everything possible to minimise the impact of the recession. However, welfare reforms must not overlook a key factor of their likely success: removing barriers that prevent disabled people getting the right skills to gain employment."

Disabled people have significant talent, skills and resources to bring to any business, yet one million disabled people are unemployed but want to work.

Susan Scott-Parker said: "Organisations that get it right on disability make significant cost savings and productivity gains because their recruitment, employment and customer service processes become more efficient.

"The government has announced an arsenal of welfare reform plans in recent months. This latest plan must be accessible to people with disabilities and credible in the eyes of employers. Otherwise, there is a risk that motivated disabled people who are furthest from the job market will miss out on the training and support they need to get back to work."

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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