Disability jobs gap

MP seeks residents’views

Neil Gray is campaigning on the issue of the disability employment gap and is inviting constituents to share their views with a parliamentary organisation.

The Airdrie & Shotts MP is a member of the all-party parliamentary group for disability, which is seeking to provide the government with advice on how to tackle barriers to work faced by disabled people.

He and his Westminster colleagues are seeking opinions on disability in the workplace from disabled people, their relatives, carers and healthcare teams, as well as employers and employees at companies of all sizes.

Mr Gray spoke in a recent debate on the subject, highlighting the experiences of some of his constituents who have experienced employment issues due to disability, as well as that of his teenage nephew who has cerebral palsy, who the MP said “is unsure of exactly what he can ask a prospective employer when applying for a position”.

The MP also quoted figures from Mencap, noting that “less than two in 10 people with a learning disability are in employment” despite estimates of “eight out of ten being able to work with the right support”.

He told the Advertiser: “The disability employment gap needs to be lowered, and lowered significantly.

“There’s a huge pool of talent out there that, with the correct support, would make valued employees.

“It’s imperative that the all- party parliamentary group gets vital evidence from those on the front line; it’s all well and good for someone without a disability to say what needs done, but do they actually know what would really help?”

His group is requesting submissions under six themed categories – business networks, self employment, research and development grants, procurement, growth sectors, and organisational policies.

Mr Gray added: “The more information that we can get, the better the chance of halving the gap.”

Views can be emailed to appginquiry@ disabilityrightsuk. org, and further information is at www.disabilityrightsuk. org/ news/ 2016/ may/ appg- invitessubmissionshalving- disabilityemploymentgap; the deadline is this Monday, July 4.