Admin and More welcomes full Access To Work Digitalisation - says clearing backlog "critical"
Admin and More, the Kettering business which offers tailored support via virtual PA services, has welcomed reports that the Department for Work and Pensions has announced Access to Work grants will be able to be claimed online from April 2024.
However,, founder Elizabeth Wright is calling for an urgent focus on the department to clear the backlog of Access To Work payments due to employers and suppliers supporting the scheme.
‘We are at a crucial crossroads here in terms of balancing supply and demand which needs urgently looking at. According to gov.uk, from July to September 2022, the disability employment rate fell whilst the non-disabled employment rate rose, meanwhile a November 2023 report by the TUC highlighted a shocking “pay gap”’ explains Elizabeth.
“Access to Work is a huge part of redressing this situation, helping disabled employees into the workplace and helping their employers with access to funding and support. The problem is, the system is struggling to keep up and sadly, many employers are beginning to feel the pinch as payments are being delayed. They often do not have the skillset, let alone the time or resources to process these claims if they do not have external support from companies like ourselves and other skilled partners.
‘The demand is sky-high. We have never been busier within our Access To Work division in terms of processing claims and payments on employers and employees' behalf but we are hearing lots of suppliers and employers are losing faith. It can create a real cashflow crisis when the funds are delayed because the employees still need to be paid, whatever the delays in the system.
‘I fear that if this continues, employers may lose confidence in Access to Work which would be a crying shame because the difference it can make is genuinely life-changing for so many people.’
Whilst Admin and More provides the full spectrum of virtual PA support for businesses across the UK, assisting them with the flagship Access to Work programme is a niche area whereby they are keen to help make a difference to thousands of people.
As such, they launched their own “Empowerability” at the start of the year which aims to raise £200,000 to create a more inclusive workforce by providing meaningful work placements for all individuals with disabilities.
Elizabeth believes that the programme has the power to transform thousands of lives and change the landscape and culture of the UK workplace. It will initially be run as a pilot project from Admin and More’s new Kettering HQ and if this is successful, Elizabeth plans to expand across the country by collaborating with more businesses and opening more offices.
Elizabeth concludes: "Our mission is simple, but far from easy. Create a more inclusive workforce by providing meaningful work placements for all individuals with disabilities. This isn't just about ensuring they have jobs; it’s about ensuring they have careers where they can flourish, and grow, making significant contributions to our country's growth and prosperity."
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