Employment: Chronic Illnesses

Disabled people and people with long-term health conditions have a lower rate of employment. The employment rate for disabled people was 53.1% in Q1 2026 and 64.1% for people with long-term health conditions, compared to 82.2% for non-disabled people. Disabled people are also less likely to move into employment – on average, between 2014 and 2024, workless disabled people moved into work at nearly one-third of the rate (7.6%) of workless non-disabled people (28.3%).

Disabled people and people with health conditions, including those with Multiple Sclerosis, are a diverse group so access to the right work and health support, in the right place, at the right time, is key. DWP has a range of specialist initiatives to support individuals to stay in work and get back into work, including those that join up employment and health systems. Measures include support from Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres and Access to Work grants, as well as joining up health and employment support around the individual through Employment Advisors in NHS Talking Therapies, and WorkWell. Additionally, the JWHD has developed a digital information service for employers and continues to oversee the Disability Confident Scheme.

Sir Charlie Mayfield’s independent Keep Britain Working Report, published in November 2025, assessed that there are disparities across different workplaces in the UK in the levels of effective support for employees and employers or line managers. It set out recommendations to reshape how government works with employers to improve work and health outcomes through creating healthier, more inclusive workplaces. We are now working with volunteer employers, providers and regions through a Vanguard Phase to test and refine approaches to help disabled workers and workers with long-term health conditions, including workers living with Multiple Sclerosis, receive the support they need to remain and thrive in employment. These include developing effective stay in work and return to work practices, strengthening prevention, and building the evidence needed to spread good practice.