The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced a major jobs update, revealing plans to recruit nearly 500 extra staff to tackle a mounting backlog in the Access to Work scheme. This scheme provides financial support for disabled people, covering specialist equipment, travel costs, and workplace assistance. Thousands of disabled individuals waiting for help to get into work are expected to receive faster decisions as a result.
Recruitment Drive Details
The DWP will hire 480 new case managers and caseworkers, increasing staffing levels on the scheme by 72%. The workforce will grow from 658 staff to over 1,100 by September 2027. This move aims to address a backlog of 48,270 unresolved claims inherited from the previous government in June 2024, with around 60,000 people currently waiting for a decision. Ministers acknowledged that demand for the Access to Work scheme has surged, with applications more than doubling since 2018/19.
Impact on Disabled Workers
Officials say the recruitment drive is designed to help disabled people and those with health conditions start or remain in work more quickly. The Access to Work scheme can cover costs including specialist equipment, support workers such as British Sign Language interpreters, and transport to and from work. Pat McFadden, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, stated: "Access to Work is a lifeline for disabled people and those with health conditions, helping them to start and stay in work, but when I came to the DWP it was clear there was a major issue with people waiting for a decision. That’s why I’m taking action to clear the backlog, because we know that the right support can change lives."
Wider Welfare Reforms
The recruitment drive forms part of a broader package of welfare and employment reforms. These include a £3.5 billion investment into employment support for sick and disabled people by the end of the decade, alongside the Connect to Work programme, which ministers say will help 300,000 people into jobs before the next election. The Government is also expanding the WorkWell programme with £259 million in funding, aimed at helping up to 250,000 people with health conditions stay in or return to employment.
Current Progress and Challenges
Officials said urgent Access to Work cases are already being prioritised, with 96% of people due to start work within four weeks now receiving a decision within 28 days. Payment delays across the scheme have also been eliminated, according to the DWP. However, disability charities have welcomed the move but warned that delays have already placed severe pressure on vulnerable workers and employers.
Mencap chief executive Jon Sparkes said payment delays had created ‘enormous pressure’ on disabled workers and the organisations supporting them. He added that people with learning disabilities could be ‘fantastic employees’ when given the right support and said the reforms could help reduce the disability employment gap. The Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) said delays in Access to Work had forced some deaf people to reduce their working hours or pay for support themselves while waiting for decisions.
Future Changes
The DWP said wider reforms to keep the scheme ‘fair and sustainable’ are still under consideration, with ministers gathering evidence from disabled people, employers, and representative organisations before announcing further changes.
