Department for Work and Pensions written question – answered at on 12 September 2018.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to encourage (a) large employers and (b) SME employers to recruit disabled employees.
This Government is committed to supporting disabled people to reach their potential. We are engaging with employers through the Disability Confident scheme, which was developed by disabled people, employers and disability organisations to encourage employers to think differently about disability and to take action to improve how they attract, recruit and develop disabled employees.
The Disability Confident Business Leaders Group (BLG), comprising senior leaders from significant British businesses across all sectors, is helping to increase engagement with employers. The group promotes the business benefits of disability employment and works with DWP officials to identify any changes or developments that will improve the effectiveness of the scheme.
DWP is working with a range of stakeholders, including members of the Business Leaders Group and Professional Advisers Group, to drive sign-up to Disability Confident. Through employer-focused events, we are targeting employers of all size and sector and are working with MPs in their constituencies to encourage local community sign-up. We are also working with MPs around the country to arrange local events to get them as employers, and businesses in their constituencies, signed up.
Over 7,500 employers are currently signed up to Disability Confident, of whom over 2,000 are large employers and 5,500 are SMEs.
Over 2,800 employers have completed their self-assessment to become Disability Confident Employers (Level 2). These include organisations ranging in size from large multi nationals to local employers, including private businesses, colleges, sports clubs, NHS trusts and social enterprises. All main government Departments are at Level 3 (Disability Confident Leader) and over 80% of Local Authorities are Disability Confident.
In addition, the department has instigated a requirement that all contractors for major contracts (exceeding £10 million in value) must have achieved Disability Confident Leader Status. DWP will work with its other suppliers to encourage them to become Disability Confident.
Crown Commercial Services are developing a Public Procurement Notice on disability and employment. This will provide guidance on the work and health agenda, on the Stevenson/Farmer Core and Enhanced Standards on mental health, and it will identify how to encourage suppliers to sign up to Disability Confident.
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