Access to Work: The Government Replied, But Did They Actually Answer Anything?

ADHD
July 05, 2025•2 min read

Earlier this year, I wrote to my MP, Nusrat Ghani, to raise serious concerns about the sudden and significant changes to the Access to Work scheme. These changes, leaked by worried DWP staff, have already started to affect disabled business owners, especially those of us who are self-employed and navigating work in non-traditional ways.

Nusrat kindly passed my letter on to Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms MP, who has now sent an official reply.

You can read it in full here:

Letter from DWP

What the Government Said

The reply focuses on the Pathways to Work Green Paper and the consultation that closed on 30th June.

It talks about:

  • A need for reform to make the welfare system "sustainable"

  • Increasing demand for disability benefits

  • A desire for employers to "do more" to support inclusion

  • Encouraging the public to respond to the consultation

All of that might sound reasonable on the surface. But if you've been affected by these changes already, you'll notice a glaring omission...

What They Didn't Say

Nowhere in the reply is there:

  • Any acknowledgement of the harm already being caused by operational changes

  • Any answer to my points about support worker funding, rising costs, or the unique needs of the self-employed

  • Any clarity on what happens now that the consultation has closed

In short: they didn't address the reality on the ground. And that's the problem.

Why This Matters

The government says these changes are about "helping people into work."

But here's what's really happening:

  • Disabled entrepreneurs are losing support they've relied on

  • Some are leaving work altogether because they can't afford to self-fund

  • Those of us who run our own businesses, often because employment isn't accessible, are being overlooked completely

Reforming a scheme without clear communication or consultation isn't just frustrating, it's harmful.

What Now?

The consultation may be closed, but the conversation isn't. I'm sharing this not to stir drama, but because we deserve transparency.

I'll keep advocating, and if you've been impacted by Access to Work changes, I'd love to hear your story. You're not alone in this.

Let's keep the pressure on. Let's keep the truth visible. And let's keep supporting each other while the system catches up.

Nic Gray

ADHD Business Coach & Advocate

Founder of Nic Gray & Associates and The Anti-Hustle Hub

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