Over 2,500 figures from the arts, including leaders at the National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company, signed an open letter warning that the UK government's proposed changes to the Access to Work scheme ('Pathways to Work' green paper) risk excluding disabled people from the workforce and reversing decades of progress in the cultural sector.
Labour plans ‘risk excluding disabled people from workforce’, say arts leaders
DisabilityLabourNational TheatreRoyal Shakespeare CompanyCultureArts Council EnglandStageTheatreArts policyPoliticsUKBenefitsWelfareSociety
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Over 2,500 figures from the arts, including leaders at the National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company, signed an open letter warning that the UK government's proposed changes to the Access to Work scheme ('Pathways to Work' green paper) risk excluding disabled people from the workforce and reversing decades of progress in the cultural sector.
Trending- 1 Decades prior: Efforts made to ensure better work for disabled people in the arts.
- 2 Recently: Jess Thom's Access to Work payment cut by 61%.
- 3 Current: 'Pathways to Work' green paper consultation ongoing; open letter released.
- Potential exclusion of disabled people from the workforce.
- Reversal of decades of progress in the cultural sector.
- Negative impact on disabled people's participation in cultural life.
What: Over 2,500 figures from the arts sector signed an open letter stating that the government’s proposed changes to the Access to Work scheme could 'risk disabled people being excluded from the workforce entirely'.
When: Recently (Jess Thom's payment cut), current (green paper consultation).
Where: United Kingdom (UK).
Why: The proposed changes in the 'Pathways to Work' green paper are seen as a 'cost-cutting exercise' rather than constructive support, threatening progress made in disabled employment rates and potentially making it harder for disabled people to work. Jess Thom's Access to Work payment cut was a trigger.
How: Arts leaders and figures signed and sent an open letter addressed to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).