Action call over disability pay gap

The pay gap between people with disabilities and those without grew last year, new data shows.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that the average employee with a disability was paid 13.8% less than their peers in 2021 – a small increase from 13.5% the year before, but the pay gap was nearly 2.1% wider - than it was in 2014.

It means that those with disabilities are earning £1.93 less every hour than their non-disabled counterparts – adding up to £3,500 a year in a full-time job.

Trades Union Congress general secretary Frances O'Grady said the Government should force companies with more than 50 staff to publish their disability pay gaps.

She said: “Disabled workers were among the hardest hit during the pandemic and now millions of them face a living standards emergency - with lower pay than nondisabled workers, but higher energy and transport costs.

"Disabled workers deserve better. It's time for big employers to be forced to publish their disability pay gaps, to help shine a light on poor workplace practices that fuel inequality at work."

The data shows that those who listed autism as their main disability are paid a third less than non-disabled employees, the worst-hit group.

Louise Rubin, head of policy at disability equality charity Scope, said: "Employers need to make sure that their working practices are as accessible and inclusive as possible so disabled employees can thrive.

"What gets measured gets done, so employers should gather and report on data about disability, including pay."