The Government has announced more support for small businesses and disabled entrepreneurs to pay for specialised equipment and to cover the other costs facing disabled people in work.

 Businesses with more than 49 employees will no longer pay towards the extra costs faced by disabled people in work – saving businesses up to £2,300 for every employee who uses the Access to Work fund.

 Disabled jobseekers who want to set up their own business using the New Enterprise Allowance will now be eligible for Access to Work funding from day one of claiming Jobseekers Allowance.

 Maria Miller, MP for Basingstoke, commented: “Under this Government the number of disabled people in work has steadily increased. There are now 123,000 more disabled people in work than before the election.”

 Maria, who was previously the Minister for Disabled People before becoming Culture Secretary, added: “This is fantastic progress, but we need to do more. That is why this announcement is so important. We are breaking down the barriers facing disabled people who want to work.”