Suffolk's disability employment gap widens to 26%

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.