David Chadwick Slams Failing Access to Work System as “Barrier to Employment” for those with disabilities
The Welsh Liberal Democrats have warned that the Government’s Access to Work scheme is no longer delivering for disabled people, after leading a parliamentary debate to highlight severe delays, growing backlogs and reduced support for applicants.
Opening the debate, Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe MP David Chadwick drew on his own experience of being paralysed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, describing how it took him years to recover and rebuild his independence after being left totally paralysed. He warned that for many disabled people, the biggest barrier to work is not their condition, but whether the right support is in place to make employment possible.
The Access to Work scheme currently supports over 74,000 disabled people by providing practical assistance such as specialist equipment, support workers and workplace adaptations. It is widely regarded as good value for money, with studies suggesting it generates £1.48 for every £1 spent.
However, demand for the scheme has risen sharply, exposing serious weaknesses in how it is administered. Waiting lists have now reached around 66,000 people, with tens of thousands of payments still outstanding. Applicants are facing delays of up to 37 weeks for a decision, with some self-employed individuals waiting over a year.
Mr Chadwick warned that these delays are having real-world consequences, with people forced to turn down job offers, struggling to remain in work, or losing their livelihoods altogether. Small businesses are also being left in limbo, unsure whether support will arrive or what costs they may have to cover.
Concerns were also raised about how the scheme operates in practice, with reports of individuals being required to reapply from scratch even when their circumstances have not changed, alongside long reconsideration processes and difficulty contacting caseworkers.
In addition, the debate highlighted concerns that funding decisions may disproportionately impact applicants in Wales, where lower average wages risk being used to justify reduced levels of support.
The Welsh Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to take urgent action to restore confidence in the scheme, reduce waiting times and ensure disabled people can fully participate in working life.
Commenting after the debate, David Chadwick MP said:
“When I was paralysed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, I know first-hand how frightening it is to wonder if you will ever be able to work again. For many disabled people today, that fear is being made worse by a system that is supposed to support them.
“Access to Work should be a gateway into employment, but right now it is becoming a barrier. People who are ready and willing to work are being let down by delays, bureaucracy and a lack of clarity.
“The consequences are serious. People are losing job opportunities, businesses are losing talented staff, and more individuals are being pushed out of the workforce altogether.
“We should be strengthening this scheme, not allowing it to fall behind. That means urgently tackling the backlog, speeding up decisions and making sure support reflects the real cost of what people need.
“If the Government is serious about getting more disabled people into work, it must fix Access to Work and make it fit for purpose again.”
ENDS