Why Access to Work is Important to Disabled People
Access to Work is not a luxury. It is what makes work possible for Disabled people in Merton and beyond. Underfunding it conflicts with the Government’s goal of getting more Disabled people into work. Cuts mean that many of us will be forced out of employment, and employers will struggle to recruit and retain Disabled staff.
Importantly, there are problems that need addressing, such as inaccessible forms and processes, portal and system failures, delayed payments, partial or unclear travel reimbursements, overly rigid rules about what counts as work, and slow responses when claimants' circumstances change. However, in offering assistive technology, support workers, British Sign Language interpreters, specialist travel-to-work arrangements, and mental health support, Access to Work provides support that goes beyond what employers are legally required to offer under the Equality Act. Without the scheme, many Disabled people would be unable to fulfil certain responsibilities as employees or remain in work. At Merton CIL, we help many service users, as well as have staff members, who need the scheme.
We are certain that the threat of cuts to Access to Work funding is dangerous. Hence, we have undertaken work to push for the scheme to be protected and funded adequately.
What We Are Doing
We have written to Merton’s two MPs, outlining our worries, and urging them to use their position to push for improvements and vote against any cuts:
Letter to Dame Siobhain McDonagh
We are also a co-signatory of the Access to Work Collective’s open letter to the Government.
What You Can Do
Contact your MP to let them know what you think. They work for you!
Labour MP for Mitcham and Morden, Siobhain McDonagh:
- siobhain.mcdonagh.mp@parliament.uk
- 020 7219 4678
- House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA or 1 Crown Road, Morden, SM4 5DD
Liberal Democrat MP for Wimbledon, Paul Kohler:
- paul.kohler.mp@parliament.uk
- 020 7219 0496
- House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
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