MEL Stride, the MP for Central Devon, welcomed the announcement in Parliament on Monday, February 11, that disabled employees will be able to benefit from almost £60,000 a year to assist them at work.

From April 1, this year people will now be able to claim up to £59,200 annually to help pay for additional support that they may need in the workplace through the government’s Access to Work scheme.

This can include workplace adaptations, assistive technology, transport and interpreters.

Mr Stride said: “Last year the government increased the amount of funding available to help disabled people through the Access to Work scheme by almost a third and it is very good to see that this will increase further as of April 1.

“More people will benefit as a result of the rise which will help the employee, the employer, and the wider economy, as disabled people can make a massive contribution to the workplace if they are supported properly.”

Access to Work provides financial support to ensure someone’s disability or health condition doesn’t hold them back at work, and last year more than 27,000 people received support.

Latest figures show that last year Access to Work provision for people with mental health conditions increased by 34 per cent compared to the previous year, and for people with a learning disability it increased by 22 per cent.

For more information about the Government’s Access to Work scheme or to apply for funding, visit: www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply , or telephone 0800 121 7479.