A group of 30 MPs from different parties has raised concerns that young individuals with disabilities could face difficulties securing employment if changes are implemented to welfare programs. Led by Labour MP Marsha de Cordova, the MPs highlighted the importance of the Access to Work (ATW) scheme in supporting young people with learning disabilities and autism. The ATW scheme, established in 1994, aims to assist individuals with disabilities in entering or maintaining employment.
Notable members of the group, including Jeremy Hunt, Daisy Cooper, Vicky Foxcroft, and Rachel Maskell, have written to the Work and Pensions Secretary, Pat McFadden, expressing worries that potential reforms could lead to a rise in unemployment rates. The MPs emphasized the significance of providing support for young people through initiatives like supported internships, noting that recent alterations to ATW funding, such as the 26-week cap, may jeopardize these programs.
Recent data indicates that nearly 948,000 individuals aged 16-24 were not engaged in education, employment, or training between April and June 2025. Moreover, young people with Education, Health, and Care Plans are 80% more likely to be unemployed compared to their peers. The MPs urged the government to reconsider the cap on supported internships within the ATW scheme, cautioning that failure to do so could harm the long-term job prospects for young people with learning disabilities and autism, potentially leading to increased unemployment rates nationwide.
In response, a spokesperson from the Department for Work and Pensions assured that no alterations have been made to the Access to Work policy and that any future changes will be communicated in advance. The DWP is currently reviewing the scheme in collaboration with disabled individuals and their organizations to enhance its effectiveness.