According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), disabled workers in the UK earn an average of £2 less per hour than their able-bodied counterparts, resulting in a disability pay gap of 12.7% in 2023. This gap has remained largely unchanged for the past decade. The median hourly pay for disabled employees stands at £13.69, compared to £15.69 for non-disabled workers. The disparity is more pronounced among men, with a gap of 15.5%, while women experience a 9.6% gap. Harriet Edwards, head of policy at the national disability charity Sense, described the situation as “infuriating,” saying that “disabled people deserve better.” Sense’s research indicates that over half of individuals with complex disabilities have taken less challenging roles due to inadequate employer support.
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