UK MP Calls for National Strategy to Close 29.5-Point Disability Employment Gap

Summary

Richard Baker MP, co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Disability Employment, has published a call for a national strategy to close the UK's disability employment gap — currently standing at 29.5 percentage points (52.8% vs 82.3%). Writing for LabourList, Baker welcomed the focus from Secretary of State Pat McFadden on the issue but argued that systemic change is needed in both employment support and employer practices. The piece comes amid broader UK policy debate: the Employment Rights Act 2025 extended tribunal time limits from three to six months, a forthcoming Equality (Race and Disability) Bill will mandate disability pay gap reporting, and the government overhauled the Disability Confident employer scheme in January 2026. With 5.5 million disabled people now in UK employment but the gap widening by 2 percentage points since mid-2024, the urgency is clear for HR leaders reviewing their inclusive hiring strategies.