‘Really Supporting Disabled People into Work’

Last Month I attended the TUC Disabled Workers Conference in Bournemouth where there was a lot of disquiet about the Government’s treatment of disabled workers and disabled people generally. Over the next week or so I intend to publish a number of articles based on the speeches of delegates from a variety of trade unions. I am starting with a motion entitled ‘Really Supporting Disabled People into Work’

This motion was moved by Dean Collins who is the newly elected Executive Council member for disabled people in Unite and here is Dean’s speech:

Chair, Conference, today we stand at a crossroads for disability rights & workplace equality.

The evidence is clear: disabled workers are still being pushed to the margins of our labour market, not because of lack of talent or ambition, but because of structural barriers that we have.

The latest government data shows that disabled people remain 28% less likely to be in employment than non‑disabled people. That gap has barely shifted in a decade. And according to the DWP Employer Survey, fewer employers are even monitoring workforce diversity — dropping to just 39%, a fall of nearly 11% since 2022. When employers stop looking, inequality grows in the dark.

We know that disabled workers face some of the steepest barriers to progression, with local‑level data revealing stark inequalities in access to qualifications, stable work, and professional roles. Society cannot exist when whole groups are structurally excluded from opportunity.

And yet, we know what works. When disabled workers receive the right adjustments, when workplaces are designed inclusively, and when employers challenge stereotypes rather than reinforce them, people thrive.

The disability movement has already shown its power — from resisting cuts to benefits to demanding fair assessments and dignity in the system. That same energy must now transform our workplaces.

So today, I’m calling for a shift: from seeing disabled workers as administrative categories to recognising them as colleagues, innovators, and leaders. We must demand that government and employers work with people with disabilities organisations to create systems that uphold rights, promote independence, and are genuinely fit for purpose.

Because when disabled workers are seen, heard, and supported — not pushed, penalised, or overlooked — workplaces become fairer, communities become stronger, and social mobility becomes possible for everyone.

Conference, please support the motion really supporting disabled people into work and urge the government to engage with these organisations on a co-production basis to reform benefits and workplace support so they uphold rights, promote independence and most importantly are fit for purpose.

Conference, I move the motion.

The motion was seconded by Lady Lola Oyewusi from Unison who gave the following speech which was very powerful.

Conference, disabled workers do not need sympathy — they need opportunity, dignity, and real support into good jobs.

Too many disabled people are locked out of work, pushed into insecure employment, or forced to fight for basic adjustments that should be a right, not a battle.

And when government talks about “getting people into work” without tackling discrimination, inaccessible workplaces, and poverty pay, it fails disabled people completely.

Trade unions must lead where others fall short.

That means demanding properly funded Access to Work, stronger rights to flexible working, and enforcement against employers who ignore reasonable adjustments.

It means designing workplaces with disabled workers, not for them. Because disabled people are not the problem. The barriers are.

So our movement must send a clear message today: no worker should be excluded because of disability, illness, or mental health.

Conference, I urge you to back policies that guarantee accessible recruitment, secure employment, and union representation for disabled workers in every workplace.

Let’s move beyond warm words and into action — because equality at work must include everyone.

The first speaker after the mover and seconder of the motion was Kevin Daws from the University and College Union (UCU) and this is what he said:

I am pleased to be able to support this motion which is clearly saying to the Labour Government that they must listen to Deaf & Disabled People and work with us rather than fight against us.

• Conference, we will not tolerate being treated as 2nd or 3rd class citizens

• We will not turn the other cheek when the Government attacks us and tries to vilify and belittle us.

• We will not allow the Government to marginalise us; drive us out of work and drive us into poverty

Let me be clear that this motion does NOT agree with the Government narrative of forcing or bullying disabled people into work

As we have said at previous conferences, not all disabled people are able to work and we need to respect that and support those people as best we can.

However, for those disable people, like me, who can work and wish to work, we need to ensure that they are fully supported through:

• Fully funded Access to Work including the reversal of any cuts

• The provision of Reasonable Adjustments coupled with measures to compel employers to identify, provide and implement reasonable adjustments

• The Mobility Scheme with the tax exemptions restored and the mileage restrictions removed

• A PIP scheme that is fully funded to meet the additional living costs that we as disabled people face.

• Fully accessible transport ASAP and no later than 2040

• Disabled Bus Passes and Travel Cards that we can use 24 hours a day

Conference, we would like the Government to work in partnership with us to ensure that Disabled People and Disabled Workers are fully supported both in the workplace and in Society as a whole

Conference, Nothing About Us without Us. Please support this motion

Mark Anthony Bastiani also spoke in this debate on behalf of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) to support Motion 2. This is what he said:

Conference, the CWU union have a motion further down the pad on Reasonable Adjustments.

We have seen a government Policy paper: Disability Confident Reform Delivery Plan for December 2025 to December 2026: Updated 13 February 2026 sets out the next phase of reform for the Disability Confident scheme.

In which it talks about embedding collaboration, accountability, and lived experience at the heart of delivery, the scheme will drive cultural change, reduce barriers, and champion equity across workplaces.

It will also introduce verification mechanisms to ensure credibility and consistent feedback across Disability Confident organisations

Mark Anthony Bastiani of the CWU Union supporting Motion 2

The Phases and Milestones set out in the policy paper are:

• Phase 1: Set up and Planning

• Phase 2: Piloting

• Phase 3: Evaluation and Refinement

• Phase 4: Relaunch preparation

• Phase 5: Full Rollout and Monitoring

• Milestone date: From December 2026

• Embed on-going feedback loops, support networks, stakeholder engagement, and media handling.

Chair, Conference we need meaningful change and not another rehash, should we not be asking for penalties for companies failing to make the necessary adjustments.

We support this motion.

Each year the TUC Disabled Workers Conference selects one of the motions it has debated to go forward to be debated at the TUC Congress in September. I am delighted to be able to tell you that this motion ‘Really Supporting Disabled People into Work’ was selected to go forward to the 2026 TUC Congress

Helping Disabled People at Work - Motion 2.pdf

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Motion 2 Really supporting disabled people into work

This TUC conference is deeply concerned that Government proposals to “support disabled people into work” risk pushing those able to work out of employment and into insecurity.

Conference notes that many employers fail to provide reasonable adjustments, which should be treated as necessary adjustments. The Disability Confident scheme allows employers to claim commitment without employing disabled workers. Disabled people moved from Employment Support Allowances to Universal Credit are worse off, while tighter Personal Independence payment criteria have increased unfair refusals.

Conference applauds the disabled people’s movement for resisting further attacks on disability related benefits and recognises the contribution of Unite activists.

Conference calls on DWC to work with all disabled workers’ organisations, including Deaf & Disabled Peoples’ organisations and workplace networks, to challenge the Government’s hostile approach.

The TUC must urge the Government to engage with these organisations on a co production basis to reform benefits and workplace support, so they uphold rights, promote independence, and are fit for purpose.