Ealing Southall MP Deirdre Costigan is set to introduce a landmark bill on Tuesday (20 May 2025) designed to strengthen workplace protections for disabled people.
The Reasonable Adjustments (Duty on Employers to Respond) Bill, to be presented in Parliament the same day, would require employers to reply to requests for reasonable adjustments within a legally defined timeframe.
While the Equality Act 2010 entitles disabled workers to workplace changes – such as assistive technology, flexible start times or ergonomic equipment – there is currently no deadline for employers to respond. As a result, many disabled employees are left waiting months, or even longer, for the support they need to stay in work.
Ms Costigan said: “Too many disabled people face losing jobs they love because employers simply don’t give them the help they need to thrive at work.”
The Labour MP added: “My new law will give more disabled people the chance to enjoy good quality jobs that are the best route out of poverty.”
More than 5 million disabled people are in work, but this represents only 51.3% of the disabled population, compared with 80.2% of non-disabled people. The resulting 29-point disability employment gap highlights the ongoing barriers to equality. Ms Costigan’s bill would give those already in work a right to a timely response—and help open up jobs to many more who want to work.
A UNISON survey found that nearly three-quarters of disabled workers had adjustment requests refused, with almost a quarter waiting over a year. Others heard nothing at all, leading to sickness absence, performance issues and, in some cases, job loss.
The bill proposes that the response timeframe be set through consultation with employers, trade unions and disabled people themselves.
