SHIPLEY MP Philip Davies hosted an event to help more disabled people across his constituency get into work.

Businesses and charities attended the Disability Confident event to learn how they could support disabled jobseekers. The event, sponsored by Barclays Bank, saw dozens of people learn from other local who have experience in working with disabled employees.

The government wants to see an additional one million disabled people in work by 2027 and its free employer membership scheme Disability Confident helps local employers attract, recruit and develop the talents of disabled people and those with long term health conditions.

Mr Davies said: “The event was a huge success and I was thrilled so many people came along to learn what help is available to employers to get more disabled people into work. It is important to dispel myths that disabled people or those with long-term health conditions cost more money or take more time off work.

Until we change attitudes employers are missing out on a valuable pool of potential skills. As somebody who employs someone with disabilities myself, I wanted to organise this event to encourage a debate on disability employment within the business community, through sharing ideas and ways of working.

“I had good feedback from businesses and I am sure we can all work together to create and sustain employment opportunities for disabled people. Not only is it good for businesses to take on highly qualified people it is good for people looking for employment but who previously may have been held back due to circumstances.”