Cuts to Access to Work Scheme Impact Disabled Workers in the UK

The Access to Work (ATW) scheme in the UK, designed to provide personalized support for disabled individuals in the workplace, is currently facing significant challenges. Reports indicate that disabled people are experiencing cuts to their support and long delays in accessing necessary resources, which are critical for maintaining employment. The National Audit Office has noted a substantial increase in demand for the scheme, with applications rising from 76,100 in 2018-19 to 157,000 in 2024-25.

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Becca Jiggens, who runs the Work Inclusion Project, has shared her experience with the ATW scheme. After receiving a support award of £68,000 annually to cover essential services due to her deteriorating eyesight and other disabilities, her funding was abruptly reduced to £18,000 with only 17 days' notice. This reduction has forced her to reconsider her support structure, as she relies on specialized assistance for legal and financial matters. Jiggens criticized the scheme's decision to suggest that AI could replace the need for qualified professionals, stating, “AI in the legal sector is simply not good.”

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The cuts to the ATW scheme have broader implications for disabled workers across the UK. Many individuals are left with insufficient budgets to hire qualified personnel, often resulting in the need to employ highly skilled workers at minimum wage. Jiggens highlighted the inconsistency in funding awards, noting that two individuals with similar disabilities and job roles could receive vastly different support levels. This inconsistency raises concerns about fairness and accessibility within the scheme.

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A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) acknowledged the issues within the ATW scheme, stating, “Access to Work supports thousands of sick or disabled people to start or stay in work.” The DWP has committed to working with disabled individuals and their organizations to improve the scheme, emphasizing the need for better support and opportunities for disabled workers.

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Critics of the ATW scheme, including Becca Jiggens, argue that the recent changes have made it increasingly difficult for disabled individuals to secure and maintain employment. She expressed concern that the scheme's current trajectory does not effectively support the goal of increasing employment among disabled people. The delays in processing applications have also been highlighted, with the average processing time increasing from 28 days in 2020-21 to 109 days by November 2025.

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While the DWP claims that support provided by the ATW scheme has nearly doubled in five years, users like Jiggens report a stark contrast in their experiences. The discrepancies in funding and the reported delays indicate a gap between official statements and the realities faced by disabled workers.

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• “Access to Work have said I don’t need somebody who is legally qualified to summarise documents and help with the legal side because AI can do it for me, but AI in the legal sector is simply not good,” — Becca Jiggens, Work Inclusion Project

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• “Even if they could have given me two months’ notice to say my award was coming down, I would have had two months with my full support to make a new plan,” — Becca Jiggens, Work Inclusion Project

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• “We probably spend about £120,000 a year on pro bono, unfunded work to support people when access to work is being slow or their award has been changed.” — Becca Jiggens, Work Inclusion Project

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The ongoing issues with the Access to Work scheme highlight the urgent need for reform to ensure that disabled individuals receive the support necessary to thrive in their workplaces.

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