Government Urged to do More to Reduce the Disability Pay Gap

The disability pay gap reached 15% in 2017, meaning disabled workers are earning £2,730 a year less on average than non-disabled workers - the highest level the gap has been since 2013. 

This is the finding of a new report from the TUC, which also found that people with a disability were less likely to be in work than those without a disability.

In 2017 average hourly pay for disabled workers was £9.90, compared to £11.40 for non-disabled workers – a disability pay gap of £1.50 an hour and £2,730 a year.

The TUC has put forward a number of policy proposals that could help close the disability pay gap, including:

• The Government should consult on a new law requiring employers to publish their disability pay gap and an action plan to close it.
• A statutory right to request flexible working from day one in the job.
• Remove the cap on Access to Work grants, which is preventing disabled people with higher needs accessing appropriate support.

In addition, it is urging employers to:

• Consult with disabled staff and trade unions on how to address disability pay gaps.
• Improve performance in meeting Equality Act obligations to put in place reasonable adjustments for disabled workers.
• Record time off linked to disability separately from sick-leave.
• Advertise more jobs – at all levels – on a flexible and part-time basis to improve accessibility for disabled workers.

“Too many disabled people face lower pay and worse jobs than their non-disabled peers,” explained TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady. “New rules to make bosses reveal gender pay gaps have been successful at shining a light on the problem. We’d like the Government to consider a similar law requiring employers to publish their disability pay gap, along with the steps they will take to close it.”

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