Call made to close gap in employment

The organisation is this week highlighting that only 50 per cent of people in the East Midlands who are disabled or have work-limiting health conditions, such as arthritis or depression, are employed.

It is also noting that new research from the national Citizens Advice charity reveals such people are more than twice as likely to fall out of work in any given year compared with people who are not disabled or do not have work-limiting health problems.

They are also three times less likely to move into employment, it says, adding that of the 3.5 million people in their situation who are out of work, 1.4 million want a job.

Citizens Advice is calling for improved support for such people to stay in work or get a job.

Stuart Hellon, chief officer at Citizens Advice Mid Lincolnshire, said: “Employers and government need to work together to offer a range of support to people who are disabled or have a health condition and want to work. This is particularly important as we now have an ageing population, with more and more people working longer in life.”

Contact Citizens Advice on 03444 111444.