A councillor met a Job Centre manager and team to discuss the problems disabled people face finding work.

Cllr Rosa Gomez, who is registered blind and has sensory and physical disabilities, met with Michael Morley, the group director of Job Centre plus across London and Essex, along with members of the Job Centre Plus team in Ilford to discuss issues of access to employment for disabled people.

Cllr Gomez, who represents Churchfields Ward, said: "Disabled people represent around 19 per cent of working age people, however only around 46 per cent of people with disabilities are able to find employment. Schemes like Access to work and Disability Confident are vital to unlocking the potential of disabled people.

"As a disabled woman reliant on Access to Work to undertake my work commitments I know how life-changing these schemes are. I am proud to represent a diverse and progressive borough like Redbridge.

The Access to Work scheme is a publicly funded employment programme that aims to help more disabled people start or stay in work. It can provide practical or financial support for people who have a disability or long term physical or mental health condition.

Disability Confident is a scheme aimed at employers that is designed to help recruit and retain people with health conditions for their skills and talent.

Cllr Gomez said: “I am passionate about the Disability Confident scheme and encourage all Redbridge businesses to sign up to it.”

More information on how to do so and what this entails can be found at: www.disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk

If you are a disabled person interested in the Access to Work Scheme, you can find out more, as well as help with things like interview skills, CVs and advice by visiting Seven Kings Jobcentre, and asking to speak to the disabilities employment advisor.