TUC Disabled Workers Conference 2025 Report
At the beginning of June, the Prospect delegation to this year’s TUC Disabled Workers Conference made its way to Bournemouth. Our delegation included reps from a wide range of Prospect branches, including AWE, Met Office, Sellafield, Ministry of Defence and EE, several of whom were attending for the first time. Dull weather on the first day did not manage to dampen the spirits of those taking part. The slogan for this year’s conference was ‘United We Resist’.
Photo of Prospect’s delegation to TUC Disabled Workers Conference 2025
Opening the conference, Sir Steven Timms, Minister of State for Social Security and Disability, was invited to speak on the government’s proposed changes to Personal Independence Payments (PIP). Following his speech, he was questioned closely by reps from multiple unions about the potential impacts of the welfare changes on disabled workers and their ability to keep working without the payments.
A panel session during the Wednesday lunchtime heard speakers from Disability Rights UK, Disabled People Against Cuts and the Greater Manchester Disabled People’s Panel examine more thoroughly the possible outcomes of these proposed changes to PIP and Universal Credit.
Prospect’s motion was heard first on Tuesday morning. It called for an improved understanding of disability leave. The motion was seconded eloquently by the FDA and received enthusiastic support from the NEU, NASUWT, SCP and PCS unions. The motion was carried unanimously.
Our delegation spoke in support of several other motions, including a composite which highlighted the delays and lack of support disabled workers often face when trying to get reasonable adjustments implemented at work. Prospect seconded the NEU’s motion on disability pay gap reporting which emphasised the need for improved data protection around this work.
The emergency motions were all concerned with the government’s proposed welfare reforms, again underlining the concern among disabled trade unionists that these changes will have the reverse effect of keeping more people out of work and increasing discrimination. Composite Emergency Motion 1 was carried unanimously and also chosen by delegates to be taken forward to the TUC Congress in September.
Amy Bishop, a member of Prospect’s NEC was successfully re-elected to the TUC’s Disabled Workers Committee for another term. As a member of the committee, she chaired the morning session of day two, ensuring that all motions were heard in a timely manner and no delegates missed their chance to speak.
This annual two-day conference provides a welcome space for disabled workers to discuss and debate the issues faced in the workplace in an atmosphere of solidarity. Moments of resistance were heard throughout the sessions; these were practical examples from reps and activists who had achieved change for the better in their own workplaces.
