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# Suffolk's disability employment gap widens to 26%
- URL: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/suffolk-disability-employment-gap-widens-to-26-percent/
- Published: 2024-11-27T08:11:49.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-16T15:29:22.000Z
- Description: The gap between employed disabled and non-disabled people in Suffolk has increased by four percentage points in the past year, new government figures show.
- Author: Oliver Rouane-Williams
- Tags: News, Employment & Welfare, Diversity, Equality & Inclusion, #article, #Import 2026-03-16 14:45

**Why it matters**: The widening employment gap suggests disabled people in Suffolk are facing increasing barriers to work, even as national employment rates for disabled people have remained stable.

**By the numbers**:

- 57% of disabled people in Suffolk are employed, compared to 83% of non-disabled people
- This creates a 26 percentage point "disability employment gap"
- The gap has grown from 22 percentage points last year
- Suffolk has seen an 11% decrease in disabled employment since last year
- Nationally, 55% of disabled people are in employment

**The big picture**: While Suffolk's disabled employment rate remains slightly above the national average of 55%, the local trend is concerning. National rates have improved from 44% a decade ago but have stagnated over the last five years.

**What they're saying**:

"The disability employment gap has barely shifted in a decade," said James Taylor, executive director of strategy at Scope. "Huge numbers of disabled people want to work but are denied the opportunity."

Ken Butler from Disability Rights UK called for a complete rethink of the benefits system, which he says "demonises" rather than supports disabled people seeking work.

**Looking ahead**: Labour has pledged to:

- Increase the UK employment rate from 75% to 80%
- Implement local plans for work, health and skills support
- Reform the benefits system to encourage employment

Sir Stephen Timms MP, minister for social security and disability, said the government's Get Britain Working Plan will provide "joined-up health and employment support" to help people get back into work.

**The bottom line**: While disabled employment in Suffolk remains marginally above the national average, the significant local decrease of 11% over the past year suggests more targeted support may be needed to reverse the trend.

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