22 June 2005

David Blunkett to address British business leaders

David Blunkett, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions will speak to business leaders at a reception held by the Employers' Forum on Disability tonight. Mr Blunkett will talk about the achievements that have been made by the disability movement in the ten years since the Disability Discrimination Act and British employers' success in becoming increasingly disability confident.

The reception, which brings disabled people together with around 100 of the Forum's Gold Card members, is to be hosted by BUPA. Mr Blunkett will be joined on the platform by Bryan Sanderson CBE, the Chairman of BUPA, and John Bamsey, the Chief Operating Officer of InterContinental Hotels Group Plc.

However, most organisations would find they needed to engage departments other than HR and property were they to act on what they learn from consultations with disabled employees and customers.

David Blunkett, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, says:

“It's important that we work well with employers to make peopleís transitions into work as smooth as possible. If we are going to succeed in having 80% of people of working age in work we need to listen to the needs of business and that means working together with the Forum.

“We should be proud that Britain is unique in having an employer community that has actually been a driving force — through the Forum — in drawing up equalities legislation. Our high levels of employment are much desired by others, and it is good to know that Britain's employers join with us in wanting to improve opportunities for everyone. And it makes total business sense to do so.”

Susan Scott-Parker, Chief Executive of the Employers' Forum on Disability, says:

“We are delighted to have the new Secretary of State addressing us this evening and it is a sign of the increasing recognition that employers are central to the task of raising levels of employment in Britain.

In the past we have too often concentrated on ‘pushing’ people towards work and not enough on how employers can ‘pull’ and attract disabled job seekers. Our members show that in our mutual endeavours with government and other stakeholders to create a barrier-free labour market, it is employers that hold the key.”

For further details of the results, including other trends and sector comparisons, copies of the Disability Standard 2005 Benchmark Report are available from the Employers' Forum on Disability on (020) 7403 3020.

ENDS

For further information, please contact:

Employers' Forum on Disability
Telephone: 020 7089 3020
Email: media@employers-forum.co.uk

or

Fiona Ludlow
Press Office
Department for Work and Pensions
Tel: 020 7238 0782
Email: fiona.ludlow@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

Notes to editors