LDE is very disappointed that Philip Hammonds comments give a very misleading picture about the access which disabled people have to the labour market and about the massive contribution which they make when they are given the opportunity to be economically active.

Figures suggest that just 6% of adults with a learning disability known to their local authority in England are in paid work (HSCIC 2015).  This amounts to just shy of 7,500 people.  Figures also suggest that a total of 17% of adults with learning disabilities aged between 16 and 64 are employed.  The difference between these figures shows how few people receive local authority support.

We believe that government policy is failing people with learning disabilities and respectfully suggest that rather than charging people who have been so dramatically failed with the country’s woes, he should dig deeper, look to really understand the issues and refrain from sweeping statements which blame disempowered people for policy failings.