Investing in disability skills increases prosperity
A paper published by the Disability Rights Commission has highlighted the economic benefits of an active disabled population. In Britain, disabled people represent a fifth of the working age population, but they are far more likely to be out of work and less qualified than the general population. It concludes that improving skills and employment for disabled people isn’t only a matter of equality, but it would increase the country’s prosperity, and deliver world leading skills and employment.
The Commission found out that bringing the employment rate to the national average, would boost the UK economy by 13 billion, equivalent to six month economic growth. Moreover, were their skills improve to world leading levels by 2020, it would boost the economy by 35 billion, the equivalent of 18 extra months of growth over 30 years. To deliver these benefits, the UK should make a commitment to close the skills gap and encourage employers to take greater responsibility, says the Disability Rights Commission. Its success would rely on raising the aspirations and increasing the opportunities of disabled people and society’s attitude towards and expectations of disabled people.
