Council to publish disability data to help close pay gap

A motion introduced by Worcester councillors Lynn Denham, Mel Allcott and Richard Udall asked the council for information on the percentage of disabled employees within each pay quartile.

They also called for increased support and career advice to help disabled people get into work.

Cllr Denham told a full council meeting on Thursday (May 16): “The government published a number of disability strategies before Christmas last year, promising to transform the lives of disabled people.

“It got me thinking about what we can do as an employer to support people. This is a practical motion to help the people of Worcestershire, to support them into the workplace.”

Cllr Denham referenced Rishi Sunak’s attack on ‘sick note culture’ last month and later clarified: “Quoting the Prime Minister does not mean agreeing with him in any way.

“He appears not to understand what mental health is about. There are many people in Worcestershire that are very ill and are unable to work.”

Cllr Matt Jenkins said: “Quite a few councils have this data and transparency is a good thing.”

He said the disability pay gap - the amount non-disabled people are paid on average compared to disabled employees - is 14.6 per cent nationally.

“The difference is higher than it was a decade ago,” said Cllr Jenkins. “We’re not making the progress we need to.

“That works out to about £3,500 a year. And for disabled women it’s even worse - the gap is about 30 per cent compared to non-disabled men.”

Cllr Marcus Hart, the cabinet member for corporate services and communications, said: “I think we have an excellent record as a major employer.

“We have 2,900 employees, of which 6.83 per cent are classified as disabled - and we have a proven track record of being able to make reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities.”

Councillors from all parties backed the motion and Cllr Hart confirmed the figures would be published annually.