As the United Nations’ International Day of People with Disabilities approaches on December 3, new evidence suggests that while the majority of British employers want to hire more employees with disabilities, many lack the confidence, resources or understanding to do so.
Almost one in four working-age adults in the UK has a disability – a figure that continues to rise. However, people with disabilities still face major inequalities in the labor market. The recent Keep Britain Working study, led by Sir Charlie Mayfield, found that disabled people are twice as likely to be excluded from work as non-disabled people, resulting in an employment gap of almost 30 percentage points. The proportion of people with learning difficulties who are employed is only 4.8 percent.
To mark Global Awareness Day, Mayfield has partnered with the Disability Charities Consortium, a coalition of nine leading charities, to engage HR leaders and large employers in building truly inclusive workplaces.
“Many employers want to do more to recruit and retain employees with disabilities, but don’t know where to start,” said Diane Lightfoot, executive director of the Business Disability Forum and co-chair of the consortium.
Your concerns are backed by data. A 2022 analysis of FTSE 100 companies found that while 99 percent had inclusive mission statements, only 37 percent had disability inclusion initiatives. A 2024 Department for Work and Pensions survey found that only 35 percent of employers were confident about employing applicants with disabilities.
Despite widespread reluctance, several major companies are showing how they can make meaningful progress.
Whitbread – owner of Premier Inn – runs its Thrive program, which provides comprehensive, practical training for young people with special educational needs and disabilities. Trainees learn in fully functional “mini-Premier Inn” training facilities that replicate real hotel environments. Two new sites have opened in Liverpool and Lincoln this year and the company aims to support 100 interns a year.
“Thrive shows how the private sector can rise to the occasion,” said Simon Ewins, chief executive of Whitbread. “It’s not just a corporate initiative – it’s a plan for inclusive employment at scale.”
Asda is working with DFN Project Search to provide supported placements for young people with autism and learning disabilities. The program, which launched in 2023, has already expanded to 22 stores, with nearly half of the interns finding jobs.
“When companies see the talent these young people bring with them, their perception changes,” said James Goodman, Asda’s chief people officer.
At Marks & Spencer, 30 percent of participants in the long-standing Marks & Start program have a disability. Since its launch, 12,000 young people have taken part and half of them have secured jobs with the retailer.
Inclusion of people with disabilities is not only a moral imperative, but also a business opportunity. Disabled households have a total purchasing power of £446 billion, up 30 per cent over the past year – a market often referred to as the ‘purple pound’.
“These employees are loyal, highly motivated and have reduced absenteeism,” said Alex Margolies, CEO of Toucan Employment. “Inclusive employers not only attract socially minded customers – they also create more productive and compassionate workplaces.”
Becoming a disability-friendly employer doesn’t have to be complex.
Katharine Weston, from Mission EmployAble, said employing people with learning disabilities was often far less daunting than employers realize – and the benefits could be transformative.
Practical measures include rethinking hiring language, providing accessible materials, guaranteeing interviews for disabled applicants who meet minimum criteria, and simple workplace adjustments such as visual schedules, color-coded instructions, or flexible assessment formats.
Many companies also set up networks for employees with disabilities and participate in the government’s Disability Confident program.
“Helping people build great careers is special”
Rachel Howarth, Whitbread’s chief people officer, said the company’s commitment was based on both values and business acumen.
“With a workforce of 35,000, many of our employees have visible and non-visible disabilities,” she said. “Our workforce should reflect our guests. Less than 5 percent of people with learning disabilities are in paid employment – that’s not just a statistic, it’s a call to action.”
“There is something special about creating opportunities for people who never thought they would have a career like this. A diverse workforce is not just good ethics – it is a source of strength for individuals, teams, customers and investors.”
