21/08/2026
This week, Action for Children was proud to lead a group of 42 charities calling on the UK government to protect disabled young people and support pathways into meaningful employment, education, volunteering or training, in the context of the Young People and Work review and Alan Milburn's final report, expected this autumn.
We wrote a letter to the Secretary of Work & Pensions, Pat McFadden MP - which featured in the Guardian - urging him not to impose tougher benefit sanctions or cuts on disabled young people. We know the evidence, which shows that cutting benefits worsens health and deepens poverty, while strict conditionality and sanctions is particularly counterproductive and harmful for disabled people.
Instead, we think the government should make key principles the foundation of its reform agenda:
🗣️ A support conversation with a dedicated specialist adviser with specific expertise in disability, neurodiversity and mental health
🛞 A range of proven programmes designed and delivered locally for disabled young people with complex barriers to participation, based around intensive, holistic and trauma-informed support
🩺 Earlier intervention, including improved access to mental health support and earlier identification of young people at risk of disengagement.
🏋♀️ A strengthened Right to Try Guarantee
🛣️ Guaranteed pathways into work, training and other valuable forms of social participation, like volunteering.
Together, we know what works for disabled young people. The right support at the right time can be transformative.
Read the letter: https://lnkd.in/eqaH47Ef
Ask your MP to support disabled young people: https://lnkd.in/e6EAy9ga