The Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) has launched an inquiry and a call for evidence on access to flexible working for disabled people.
The WEC says it will consider why the cultural shift since the Covid-19 pandemic towards greater acceptance of flexible working has not yet had a substantial impact on the employment rate of disabled people and the disability employment gap.
It highlights that greater flexibility around hours, shift patterns and place of work, whether remotely, in an office or a hybrid combination, has the potential to allow disabled people with a range of impairments to overcome barriers to paid work. Yet the gap between employment rates of disabled and non-disabled people remains stubbornly high. According to DWP figures, the employment rate for working age disabled people in Q2 2025 was 52.8%, compared to 82.5% among non-disabled people.
Through the call for evidence, the Committee will examine the likely effectiveness of the flexible working provisions in the Employment Rights Act 2025 for disabled workers and jobseekers as well as assessing awareness and understanding around employers' duty to make reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010 in relation to flexible working.
Under the Employment Rights Act 2025, a new requirement is set to be introduced during 2027 for employers to explain why it was reasonable to refuse a flexible working request.
The call for evidence is open until 26 June 2026.
