Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 24 April 2018 to Question 137542, on disability: equal pay, what steps her Department is taking to encourage employers to sign up to the Disability Confident scheme.

5,964 employers are currently signed up to Disability Confident and 2,551 employers have completed their self-assessment to become Disability Confident Employers (Level 2). This includes organisations ranging in size from large multi nationals to local employers, including private businesses, colleges, sports clubs, NHS trusts and social enterprises. All main government Departments are at Level 3 (Disability Confident Leader) and over 80% of Local Authorities are Disability Confident.

The Disability Confident Business Leaders Group (BLG), comprising senior leaders from significant British businesses across all sectors, is helping to increase engagement with employers. The group promotes the business benefits of disability employment and works with DWP officials to identify any changes or developments that will improve the effectiveness of the scheme.

We are also working with Members of Parliament around the country to arrange local events to get them as employers, and businesses in their constituencies, signed up.