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Journalist Munaza Rafiq highlights the struggles faced by teenager Kailee Kember-Brown, a wheelchair user from Dover, Kent in finding employment. Despite sending out over 40 job applications, Kailee has only heard back from a small fraction of them, leading her to feel disheartened. Currently entitled to a top-up on her Universal Credit income due to her disability, she still wishes to work to avoid boredom and be more like her friends who are already employed.
The looming government plans to cut the Universal Credit health top-up for under-22s with long-term illnesses or disabilities, such as Kailee, could further complicate her financial situation. The proposed cut has sparked a backlash, with over 120 Labour MPs signing an amendment against the welfare reform proposals. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, however, remains steadfast in his commitment to pressing forward with the plans, citing the need for reform and savings of £5bn annually by 2030 through cuts to disability and sickness-related benefits payments.
Kailee requires certain accommodations from potential employers due to her functional neurological disorder, such as accessible facilities and flexible hours to attend appointments. Despite applying to Disability Confident scheme-listed companies, Kailee often doesn’t receive any response, leading to frustration. Jane Hatton, who runs a platform for disabled job seekers, emphasizes the misconceptions held by employers about disabled employees’ suitability for roles and the importance of making necessary adjustments to support all candidates.
The government’s ambition to increase employment opportunities for disabled individuals is evident in their efforts to overhaul existing programs like Access to Work. Disability Minister Sir Stephen Timms acknowledges the challenges faced by disabled job seekers, expressing the government’s commitment to creating a more inclusive workforce. One of the major concerns surrounding welfare reforms is the proposed changes to the eligibility criteria for the Personal Independence Payment (Pip), a benefit crucial in covering additional living costs for disabled individuals. Despite opposition from some Labour backbenchers, Timms defends the need for Pip reform to ensure its sustainability and continued support for severely impaired individuals
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