Rishi Sunak MP has signed up for a Government programme designed to encourage businesses to employ more people with a disability.
The Richmond MP has committed himself to the Disability Confident scheme which aims to help employers make the most of opportunities provided by taking on disabled people.
After signing up as a committed employer at Northallerton Jobcentre Mr Sunak said: “People with a disability are a tremendous untapped resource for employers.
“I want to make the most of the talents disabled people can bring to the workplace and this commitment is just the start.
“I know from my business career before entering Parliament that finding the best people is the key to a successful enterprise so excluding the seven million people – that’s 17.5 per cent of the UK workforce – who are disabled or have a long term health condition doesn’t make business sense.”
The Disability Confident scheme helps businesses:
- draw from the widest possible pool of talent
- secure and retain high quality staff who are skilled, loyal and hard working
- save time and money on the costs of recruitment and training by reducing staff turnover
- keep valuable skills and experience
- reduce the levels and costs of sickness absences
- improve employee morale and commitment by demonstrating that they treat all employees fairly
The scheme has three levels. The first is becoming a Disability Confident Committed employer. The third is being a Disability Confident Leader which has to be externally verified and involves the employer acting as a champion with their local and business community, their supply chain and networks.
Mr Sunak said: “A number of local employers have made the same commitment as I have but I hope many, many more will join us.
“Because we enjoy virtually full employment in the constituency many employers talk to me about the difficulties they face recruiting people. Being a Disability Confident employer means making sure your talent search is the widest possible.”
More details about the Disability Confident scheme can be found at gov.uk/disability-confident.
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