DISABLED workers are more likely to be employed in lower-paid and non-home-working jobs, according to new analysis today.

About one in seven care workers and home carers in England and Wales have a disability, the Leonard Cheshire charity found.

One in six are retail cashiers, check-out operators, work in call centres or as crossing patrol officers, it revealed.

Leonard Cheshire, which aims to help remove barriers faced by disabled people in how they live, learn and work, said the findings suggest people with disabilities are over-represented in lower-paid roles that do not involve home working.

The charity warned that the government should be focused on targeted support rather than benefit cuts as much-criticised welfare changes aim to force those on disability benefits back into work.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has said the work capability assessment, used to decide how much someone’s disability limits their ability to work, will be reformed “to reflect greater flexibility and availability of home working after the pandemic.”

But Nic Darker, who leads Leonard Cheshire’s employment programmes, warned the plan “will only result in demonising disabled people who draw on benefits, leaving many feeling the system distrusts them.”

He said: “Although the government attempts to justify increased sanctions by claiming that disabled people can work from home, we know that home-working options are not always available and not suitable for everyone.

“Disabled people are already over-represented in roles that do not involve home working, especially in retail and social care, as the census data shows.”

The Department for Work & Pensions said its plan offers existing health claimants a “chance to work guarantee” that allows people to try work without fear of losing their benefits.