Select committee: Public Services Committee
Conclusion 20
1st Report - Think Work First: the transition from education to work for young disabled people
Published 15 Oct 2024
Paragraph 79
Public Services Committee The transition from education to employment for young disabled people All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Conclusion (the committee's words)
The introduction of T Levels offers opportunities for young disabled people to gain valuable workplace experience and skills. There is a risk, however, that it will prevent some from progressing in further education through other routes. For those unable to access T Levels, BTECs are the ideal alternative, and it is concerning that these are being discontinued even though the impact on young disabled people is acknowledged and recognised. We welcome the Government’s decision to pause the defunding of qualifications in August 2024 and to conduct a rapid review of post-16 qualifications reform.
From: Public Services Committee, 1st Report - Think Work First: the transition from education to work for young disabled people, paragraph 79, 15 October 2024
Government response
The government responded to the whole report on 3 June 2025 (deadline 20 January 2025).
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The government accepts some recommendations in full, partially accepts others, and "notes" several, with commitments including Connect to Work funding and consultation on disability pay gap reporting.
- On vocational profiling, the government "agrees" it should be a standard part of careers guidance for young disabled people, and says it will be embedded into Careers Leader and SENCo training modules "by September 2025".
- On the information hub (Recommendation 5), the government says it "will consider" the recommendation and makes no commitment to build the hub or launch it within 12 months.
- On disability pay gap reporting for large employers, the government "accepts" the recommendation and refers to a consultation that closes on 10 June 2025, which it will draw on to shape the legislation.
- On a four-week employer deadline for reasonable adjustments, the government "notes" the recommendation and says research with the University of York will inform next steps, with initial findings "expected in the Summer".