UK's Disability Employment Rate Rises to 54.2% — But Gap Widens as DWP Prepares Landmark November Data Release

Summary

The UK's disability employment rate has risen to 54.2%, up 1.5 percentage points from 52.7% a year earlier, according to the latest House of Commons Library research briefing published 20 October 2026. However, with the non-disabled employment rate at 82.0%, the disability employment gap stands at roughly 27.8 percentage points. The inactivity rate for disabled people has decreased to 42.6% from 43.1%, and autistic people continue to face the steepest barriers — only 31% are employed. A quarter of working-age adults in the UK are now classed as disabled. The DWP has announced that its full 'Employment of Disabled People 2026' statistical release will be published on 4 November 2026, for the first time including age-standardised disability employment gaps and data by Combined Authority areas. For employers, the data confirms that inclusive recruitment is no longer niche — disabled people represent a quarter of the talent pool.