Disabled Journalist Warns Hidden Access to Work Cuts Could Threaten Her Job Security

A legally blind journalist in the United Kingdom has raised serious concerns that unannounced cuts to the government’s Access to Work support scheme could leave her unable to continue working.

The journalist, Emily Davison, says her support package was reduced by 80 % without prior notice, significantly affecting her ability to work as a professional reporter.

Who Is Affected: Emily Davison’s Story

Emily Davison, who is legally blind, struggled for years to get into journalism due to barriers and limited opportunities for disabled applicants. When she finally secured a full‑time reporting position, her Access to Work funding was essential in helping her manage travel and daily work tasks.

Recently, Emily learned that her support—including travel assistance and weekly hours from a support worker—was cut from 37 hours per week to just 8 hours per week, an 80 % reduction. This drastic cut jeopardises her ability to travel safely to work and complete her duties effectively.

Without the full level of support, Emily faces difficult choices: reduce her working hours, rely on unpaid help from family or friends, or potentially give up her career altogether. The uncertainty around why the cut was made has also added stress to an already challenging situation.

What Is Access to Work?

Access to Work is a government support programme designed to help disabled people overcome barriers to employment. The scheme provides funding for a range of supports, including:

• Travel assistance when public transport is inaccessible
• Support workers or assistants to help with day‑to‑day tasks
• Specialist equipment and technology to enable work activities
• Adjustments to workplaces and working practices

For many disabled professionals, Access to Work makes the difference between being able to work and being unable to participate in the workforce.

Patterns and Broader Concerns

Emily’s experience is part of a growing trend reported by disabled people across the UK:

• Many claimants have experienced significant reductions in their approved support at renewal stages.
• There have been increasing reports of delays in processing applications and reviews, leading to uncertainty over funding.
• Some disabled workers report that their support is being cut or downgraded without clear explanations or formal changes to policy.

Advocates argue that these reductions are happening quietly, without proper transparency. They describe the cuts as “secret” or unofficial changes to how Access to Work is administered, making it harder for disabled people to plan and remain in employment.

These changes have sparked concern among disability rights groups, employers, and professionals who depend on the programme to make workplaces accessible.

Key Facts and Figures

Aspect	Information
Affected journalist	Emily Davison
Disability	Legal blindness
Original support hours	37 hours per week
Reduced support hours	8 hours per week
Percentage of cut	80 % reduction
Types of support reduced	Travel assistance, support worker hours
Impact	Job security and work ability at risk

Why These Cuts Matter

For many disabled workers, Access to Work is not optional support but a necessity. Reductions in funding can force individuals to:

• Work fewer hours than needed
• Rely on unpaid help from others
• Change or lose employment
• Suffer financially and professionally as a result

Employers also rely on Access to Work to ensure reasonable adjustments are made. When funding is reduced, workplaces may struggle to provide an inclusive environment.

The case of Emily Davison highlights serious concerns over how Access to Work support is being administered.

With significant reductions in support packages happening without clear communication, disabled workers are at risk of losing the very assistance they need to stay employed. Ensuring transparent, consistent, and fair support is essential to uphold employment rights for disabled professionals.

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