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Access to Work approvals rise as spending falls and mental health support declines

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More disabled people are being approved for government-funded employment support, but overall spending has fallen and fewer people are accessing specialist mental health provision, according to new Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) figures.

The latest Access to Work statistics, published on 29 October, show that 59,690 people were approved for support during the financial year ending March 2026, an increase of five per cent on the previous year.

However, total expenditure fell by seven per cent in real terms to £309.1 million, raising questions about how the scheme is responding to changing workforce health needs.

Access to Work provides practical and financial support to help disabled people and those with long-term health conditions enter or remain in employment. Assistance can include specialist equipment, support workers, travel arrangements and mental health services.

The figures show that 78,440 people received payments through the scheme during 2025/26, six per cent more than the previous year.

However, the picture is more concerning for mental health provision. Approvals for the Mental Health Support Service fell by six per cent to 12,880, marking the second consecutive annual decline. The number of people receiving payments through the service fell by 10 per cent to 20,050.

Spending on the service also declined significantly, falling by 29 per cent in real terms to £8.7 million.

The figures are particularly notable given the role mental health conditions play in workforce participation and the challenges employers face in supporting people to remain in work.

Mental health conditions were the most common primary medical condition among customers receiving payments for Access to Work support elements, accounting for 21,880 people, or 36 per cent of recipients.

The findings highlight the importance of distinguishing between the overall availability of employment support and the types of assistance being accessed.

While more people received approvals and payments across the scheme, the decline in specialist mental health provision suggests a changing pattern of support that warrants further examination.

The statistics do not establish whether the reduction reflects lower demand, changes in referrals, service delivery or other factors.

Other areas of Access to Work recorded growth. Support worker approvals increased by 16 per cent, while approvals for travel-to-work assistance rose by nine per cent. Approvals for specialist aids and equipment increased by five per cent.

Support workers accounted for the largest proportion of scheme expenditure, at £222.7 million, equivalent to 72 per cent of total spending.

For employers, Access to Work can provide important additional assistance when supporting disabled employees and people with long-term health conditions.

However, the scheme does not replace employers’ responsibilities under equality legislation, including the duty to make reasonable adjustments.

Effective workplace support also depends on management capability, accessible job design, flexible working arrangements and the ability to identify and respond to individual needs.

The findings raise broader questions about whether the UK’s employment support infrastructure is sufficiently equipped to help people manage health conditions while maintaining sustainable careers.

This is particularly important as policymakers seek to reduce health-related economic inactivity and support more people into employment.

The longer-term test will be whether Access to Work can deliver timely, appropriate and effective support that helps people enter employment, remain in work and participate fully throughout their working lives.

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