Motion 96
Championing Scotland’s Supported Businesses
“That this Congress notes that supported businesses in Scotland, such as RSBi in Glasgow, are vital in providing secure employment, workplace adjustments, and structured support for disabled workers, who face significant barriers in the mainstream labour market.
“Congress recognises that supported businesses are essential in tackling the disability employment gap and delivering decent work, economic participation, and trade union organisation for disabled workers.
“Congress further notes that supported businesses across Scotland and the wider UK are facing severe pressures including rising costs, recruitment challenges, and increasing operational demands. However, Congress is particularly concerned by recent changes to supported business funding, specifically the replacement of the Transitional Employer Support Grant (TESG) with Access to Work Plus (AtW+).
“Congress believes that the move from TESG to AtW+ creates significant new barriers for supported businesses, and that these changes don’t reflect the operational reality of supported businesses and risk undermining job security for disabled workers, and threatens the viability of long-standing businesses like RSBi in Glasgow, ultimately reducing employment opportunities for those who most need structured support.
“Congress calls on the General Council to:
- campaign for an urgent UK Government review of the move from TESG to AtW+, including meaningful consultation with supported businesses, disabled workers, and trade unions;
- lobby the UK Government and DWP to ensure supported business funding is stable, sustainable, and reflective of real operating costs, and that funding mechanisms are accessible and workable in practice;
- lobby the Scottish Government and public bodies to expand the use of supported business procurement and ensure supported businesses are properly included in Scotland’s fair work and economic strategies: and
- work with affiliates, disabled workers’ organisations, and supported businesses to promote union organisation, collective bargaining, and fair work standards across the supported business sector.”
Mover: Community
RSS