Access to Work: the secret government cuts and what you can do to fight them

Access to Work is a government-funded scheme that helps disabled people start or stay in work by offering vital support such as workplace equipment, money towards travel, or an interpreter or support worker.

For many disabled people, Access to Work provides a key lifeline, ensuring equality in the workplace by making it truly accessible. Despite no formal changes to the scheme – in recent years there have been increasing reports of delays, changes and cuts to accessing the scheme.

In February 2026, a report by the National Audit Office found that delays and backlogs in processing Access to Work applications have more than doubled in four years.

A recent survey showed that more than half of Disabled people who used the Government’s Access to Work scheme in the past two years say it failed to meet their needs, with respondents reporting cuts to support, long delays and difficulties accessing essential equipment (Disability Poverty Campaign Group).

The government also no longer operates a formal complaints email address, meaning that the only way to make a complaint about your experience related to Access to Work is by telephone or the RELAY service.

Facing a Commons public accounts committee in March 2026, conducted in response to the NAO report, the Department for Work and Health said that applicants could face up to 37 weeks for a decision on their application.

Production shot from Graeae Theatre Company’s ‘Reasons To Be Cheerful’. Photograph: Patrick Baldwin

These secret cuts are having a devastating impact on disabled people’s livelihoods and wellbeing.

In the arts – Artistic Director of renowned theatre company Graeae Jenny Sealey spoke out about her experience after being told she will have her financial support from the Department of Work and Pensions slashed by 50%.

The DWP informed her that they would only cover a sign language interpreter for 10 hours rehearsal per week, when production weeks are typically 47 hours in length.

Reasons cited were that her employer had not put adequate support in place to meet her needs.

Graeae employ approximately 200 Deaf and Disabled people a year, about 57% of their workforce, and ensure access is provided across their activities, regardless of whether it can be reclaimed.

In 2024-25, they covered £198,445 of access costs, £86,800 of which was re-claimed through Access to Work.

As a queer, disabled-led company – these changes threaten our own ability to work and that of the incredible disabled artists, professionals and communities we work with. In light of these challenges, its vital that we come together to take action and find ways of supporting one another. We have compiled a list of support, resources and organisations working to champion disabled communities and art.

Actions

Write to your MP
Urge them to protect and adequately fund Access to Work. Inclusion London offer great templates to use.

Read and sign Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations (DDPOs) Open Letter
Sign the open letter to Sir Stephen Timms, Minister for Social Security and Disability, Department for Work & Pensions.

Support disability-led arts organisations
Follow, like, share, engage with their work and show your support – see our list below.

Spread the word
Share this blog and any resources or information you know of that can help.

A list of organisations working to improve the lives and opportunities of disabled people that you can support by following, donating and engaging with.

Graeae Theatre Company @graeaetheatrecompany
Graeae have been spearheading a campaign highlighting and fighting the cuts to Access to Work, offering super helpful resources and information.

Access to Work Collective @accesstoworkcollective
A growing group of over 2,800 stakeholders of Access to Work, including disabled people, organisations, employers, researchers, suppliers, policymakers and allies.

Dada Fest
@dadafest
A disability and Deaf arts organisation based in Liverpool with international reach, organisers of DaDa Fest.

Candoco Dance Company
@candocodancecompany
Cutting-edge, inclusive, contemporary dance company, challenging perceptions of what dance can be.

Dash Disability Arts
@dashdisabilityarts
A disability led visual arts organisation that commissions and supports exciting new work by disabled visual artists.

Dash Arts Cymru
@dacymru
Organisation promoting equality for disabled and Deaf people in the arts in Wales.

Disability Arts
@disabilityarts
A UK-based charitable arts organisation, led by disabled people.

Drake Music
@drakemusicorg
Leading national organisation working in music, disability and technology.

Extant Ltd
@extantltd
The UK’s leading professional performing arts company of visually impaired artists and theatre practitioners, producing touring productions and delivering training regionally and internationally. 

Mind the Gap
@mtgstudios
England’s leading learning disability performance and live arts company.

Prism Arts
@peopleatprism
Inclusive arts organisation that creates and runs arts projects that are fully accessible to all.

Shape Arts
@shapearts
Disability-led arts organisation working to improve access to culture for disabled people by providing opportunities for disabled creatives, training cultural institutions to be more open to disabled people, and through running participatory arts and development programmes.

Vital Xposure
@vitalxposure
Disabled-led theatre company passionate about social justice and new voices in the arts.

Tourettes Hero
@touretteshero
A project led by artist Jess Thom aimed at increasing awareness of Tourette syndrome, the neurological condition which she was diagnosed with in her early twenties.

Ramps on the Moon
@rampsonthemoon
Supports the UK performing arts and wider arts sector to embed anti-ableism by embracing disabled talent.

Triple C
@triplec.uk
Works nationally to advance equity, access & representation for deaf, disabled & neurodivergent (DDN) people across the arts, screen & media sectors.

DIY Theatre
@diytheatreco
Salford -based theatre company of learning disabled performers, who have been creating theatre since 1994.