DRC response to welfare reform proposals

4 July 2006

Bert Massie, Chairman of the Disability Rights Commission said today:

"We support welfare reform if it genuinely gets more disabled people and those with long term health conditions into work. Only half of working age disabled people in Britain are employed.

“However, the government needs to do more to encourage employers to play their part. Three out of five employers say they wouldn’t employ someone with a mental health problem. Given the increasing numbers of people on Incapacity Benefit who have a mental health problem these attitudes need tackling.”