Plans to get one million more disabled people in work over the next 10 years have been set out by the government.

Ministers say the new strategy will help those with disabilities keep their jobs and progress in their careers.

The new measures include widening the number of people who can issue fitness-to-work notices and additional training for mental health professionals.

Labour’s Debbie Abrahams said benefit cuts had already pushed more disabled people towards poverty.

‘Tackling injustices’

The pledge comes after ONS figures from June 2017 suggested that disabled people were twice as likely to be unemployed as non-disabled people.

About 80% of non-disabled people are in work compared with just under 50% of disabled people.

Disabled people ‘losing out on jobs’ over Access to Work cap

Disability assessors ‘lack right skills’ – BBC News

Call to end workplace discrimination

Prime Minister Theresa May said a person’s life and career “should not be dictated by their disability or health condition”.

“Everyone deserves the chance to find a job that’s right for them,” she added.

“I am committed to tackling the injustices facing disabled people who want to work, so that everyone can go as far as their talents will take them.”

The government says in the past four years 600,000 disabled people have found work. However, the disability charity Scope says progress is too slow.

The new strategy includes:

Measures to provide access to personalised support for those with mental health issue

Extending “fit note” certification – which details how a condition affects someone’s ability to work – beyond GPs to a wider group of healthcare professionals, including physiotherapists, psychiatrists and senior nurses

Reform statutory sick pay

The 10-year plan builds on a green paper published last year which pledged to halve the so-called disability employment gap.