All in it together? Disabled people, the coalition and welfare to work

Abstract

This paper critically explores the Westminster coalition government's efforts to assist disabled people off benefits and into paid employment, focusing on the ongoing migration of Incapacity Benefit claimants onto Employment and Support Allowance. Drawing on the social model of disability, it is argued that the current reform agenda individualises the problem of disability; placing too much emphasis on disabled people's employability while neglecting broader societal barriers to their full and equal labour market participation. Given these shortcomings, it seems unlikely that the Coalition's approach will help disabled people to make the transition from welfare-to-work. Copyright © 2012, The Policy Press.