17 March 2009 – Real help for disabled people
An additional £8 million to help disabled people remain in work will be made available this year through the highly successful Access to Work programme, announced Minister for Disabled People Jonathan Shaw today.
This extra funding will ensure disabled people who are in employment or have a firm job offer do not miss out as a result of the economic climate. In the longer term the Government is committed to doubling the budget from £69m to £138m by 2013/14.
Speaking at the Beginnings Conference in London, Jonathan Shaw said:
“This extra funding will help disabled people stay in work or take up a firm job offer. This forms part of the £2 billion package we are investing to give people real help in these tough times.
“Part of improving rights and opportunities for disabled people is making sure everyone has the same opportunities to find and stay in work. Even in the current economic downturn we are committed to ensuring that disabled people get the support they need to take control of their lives and live independently.”
Access to Work, a specialist disability programme run by Jobcentre Plus, provides practical advice and support to disabled people and their employers to help them overcome work-related obstacles resulting from disability.
Note to Editors
- Jonathan Shaw spoke at the Beginnings Conference, whose theme was “Employers – Helping Disabled People into Sustained Employment” on Tuesday 17 March 2009.
- To find out more information on Access to Work visit http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
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