More disabled people are in work in Somerset, according to new figures, though nearly half of disabled people across Britain remain unemployed, highlighting ongoing challenges.

Data from the Department for Work and Pensions shows there were 67,653 disabled people living in Somerset as of March, with 65% in employment. This marks a significant improvement, with the local disability employment rate rising by 10% since last year and narrowing the disability employment gap to 20 percentage points, down from 24 points the previous year.

In comparison, the employment rate among people without disabilities in Somerset stands at 85%.

Nationally, 55% of disabled people in Great Britain are in work, an increase from 44% a decade ago. However, progress has stagnated over the last five years, prompting calls for urgent action.

James Taylor, executive director of strategy at disability equality charity Scope, described the lack of progress as "unacceptable" and pointed to systemic barriers that prevent disabled people from accessing meaningful employment.

"Huge numbers of disabled people want to work but are denied the opportunity because of barriers like employers' negative attitudes and inflexible working practices," he said. "Punitive measures like cutting benefits and increasing conditionality don't help disabled people get into work. What we need is investment in localised, tailored, flexible employment support for disabled people."

Ken Butler from Disability Rights UK echoed these concerns, arguing that the current benefits system excludes disabled people from employment.

"There is no evidence that benefit sanctions work for disabled people," he said. "There is plenty of evidence about the negative impact they have. For the Government to want to make progress on closing the disability employment gap, it must start by changing the approach to social security from punitive to supportive."

The Labour Party, before winning this year's general election, pledged to raise the UK employment rate to 80%, promising new local plans for work, health, and skills support to help more disabled people into employment. It also vowed to reform the benefits system to encourage employment while tackling discrimination through its Equality (Race and Disability) Bill.

Sir Stephen Timms MP, minister for social security and disability, said the Government's new policies aim to address these systemic issues:

"There's more to do to ensure disabled people have equal opportunity in the workplace, with too much talent going to waste because people have been denied the help they need. That's why our Get Britain Working Plan will include new work, health, and skills plans so people get the joined-up health and employment support they need to get back into work and stay in work."

Despite the improvement in Somerset, campaigners continue to call for comprehensive reforms to eliminate barriers and ensure disabled people have access to safe, sustainable, and inclusive employment opportunities.