Inclusion Scotland chairs the Access to Work Stakeholder Forum in Scotland, which is hosted by Scottish Government and attended by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) a variety of relevant stakeholders from the public and third sectors. Meetings take place quarterly and at each we ask thematic questions of the DWP and suggest improvements required based on disabled people’s experience of accessing the fund.
Our recent survey of 25 disabled people shows that Access to Work is extremely valuable to disabled people who use it, allowing them to remain in and get on in work. However, it also shows the many challenges in delays, communications and renewals causing issues for disabled people needing it and barriers to starting, staying in or getting on in work. DWP say they are working on improving the service.