Discrimination is barrier to incapacity benefit targets

The head of a leading disability charity says discrimination must end if the government is to meet its targets on reducing the number of claimants on incapacity benefit.

Ian Charlesworth, managing director of The Shaw Trust, said prejudice persists among employers and politicians. He said the situation is made worse by low self-esteem, isolation and a lack of proper guidance.

The employment rate for disabled people is currently more than 30% below the government’s target of 80%, the charity said.

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Although 75,000 disabled people find jobs every year, the numbers of those who become unemployed or economically inactive as a result of disability or health problems is 100,000, the charity said.

The government said it was working hard to deal with the situation, but recognised more needed to be done.