More government action is needed to increase the numbers of disabled people in employment, the TUC has argued.

Further public funding should be allocated towards increasing the numbers of people with disabilities in work from present levels of 49 per cent to 60 per cent, the union organisation argued, in a bid to reduce the number of families in poverty.

British levels of employment among disabled people is lower than those found in other countries, including the United States, Canada, Switzerland, Norway and Sweden.

"Being able to get and keep a good job can mean the difference between poverty and a reasonable income for disabled people and their families," said TUC general secretary, Brendan Barber.

"Not all disabled people can or want to work, and people with severe disabilities shouldn't be forced into jobs.

"But there are thousands of disabled people who are prevented from working and a better targeted, more resourced approach could drastically increase the numbers of disabled people able to go out to work."