Nearly three-quarters (72%) of disabled workers earn less than £15 an hour, according to new analysis of official statistics published by the TUC.

The analysis – published today during disability history month – reveals that 3.09 million disabled workers around the UK are paid under the median wage of around £15 an hour. 

Around half (54%) of non-disabled workers are paid less than this amount. 

The TUC argues that disabled workers are over-represented in low-paid work – and says that the new increase in the minimum wage announced by the Chancellor in the Autumn statement doesn’t go anywhere near far enough in lifting workers out of poverty. 

Regional and industrial analysis 

The new analysis shows that in some parts of the country, even more disabled workers earn less than £15 an hour. 

More than four in five disabled workers in the West Midlands (85%) and the North East (82%) earn less than £15 an hour, compared to around three in five (58% and 64%) of non-disabled workers in those regions. 

And in some industries, most disabled people are paid less than £15 an hour. Nine in 10 disabled workers in wholesale, retail, repair of vehicles (94%) and arts, entertainment and recreation (89%) are paid less than £15. 

Zero-hours contracts 

The analysis found that disabled workers are more likely than non-disabled workers to be employed on a zero-hours contract (4.4% compared to 2.9%) with no guarantee of shifts from one week to the next. 

The TUC says zero-hours contracts hand the employer total control over their workers’ hours and earning power. 

This means workers never know how much they will earn each week, and their income is subject to the whims of managers. 

The union body argues that this makes it hard for workers to plan their lives, look after their children and get to medical appointments. 

And it makes it harder for workers to challenge unacceptable behaviour by bosses because of concerns about whether they will be penalised by not being allocated hours in future. 

Unemployment 

Not only are disabled workers paid less than non-disabled workers, they are also more likely to be excluded from the job market. 

Disabled workers are now twice as likely as non-disabled workers to be unemployed (6.8% compared to 3.4%).   

In November, the TUC published analysis showing that the pay gap between non-disabled and disabled workers has widened and is now 17.2 percent, or £3,700 a year. 

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “We all deserve a decent job with decent pay. Being disabled should not mean you’re employed on a lower wage or on worse terms and conditions.   

“As the cost-of-living crisis intensifies, many disabled workers are struggling to get by. 

“We already know disabled people face higher living expenses than non-disabled people. And now they’re being pushed to the brink with eye-watering bills and are having to choose whether to put food on the table or pay their bills. 

“Ministers announced the absolute bare minimum on the national minimum wage and universal credit in the Autumn statement. With living costs soaring, we need to ensure that everyone has enough to get by. 

“Let’s put an end to low-pay Britain and get to a £15 per hour minimum wage as soon as possible. 

“And it’s also past time to introduce mandatory disability pay gap reporting to shine a light on inequality at work. Without this, millions of disabled workers will be consigned to years of lower pay and in-work poverty.” 

Government action needed 

To address low pay, the TUC is calling for the minimum wage to be raised to £15 an hour as soon as possible. 

In August, the union body set out a roadmap to a £15 an hour minimum wage and a high wage economy. 

And to further support disabled workers, the TUC wants the government to bring in mandatory disability pay gap reporting for all employers with more than 50 employees. 

The union body says the legislation should be accompanied by a duty on employers to produce action plans identifying the steps they will take to address any gaps identified.  

Caroline Casey, Founder of the Valuable 500 comments:

“People with disabilities are being failed in the workplace. Today’s statistics prove they’re consistently underpaid for their work  – despite bringing such valuable contributions to business. It is not acceptable that disabled workers are now twice as likely as non-disabled workers to be unemployed. We need meaningful jobs, with meaningful salaries to match.

“Businesses have a responsibility to change this failure of inclusion. We cannot wait for the government to action an appropriate living wage – businesses must lead the way. A CEO can do in days, what a government can only hope to achieve in years. In the midst of a cost-of-living crisis it’s not justifiable that 3 in 4 disabled workers earn less than £15 an hour, when they already face disproportionately higher living costs not only in the UK, but around the world. Business holds the key to changing the face of the working landscape for disabled people across the world – and they must do better.”

 

 

 

 

Amelia Brand
Amelia Brand

Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.