Close the Gap
@closethegap.org.uk
Close the Gap is Scotland's expert policy advocacy organisation working on women's labour market equality.
www.closethegap.org.uk
www.closethegap.org.uk
This #HumanRightsDay, we’ve joined 180+ orgs across the UK in signing an open letter to the Prime Minister & political leaders, urging them to support human rights, say no to plans that weaken them, help people to use their human rights & say that human rights are for everyone.
Read it below 👇
Read it below 👇
December 10, 2025 at 10:30 AM
This #HumanRightsDay, we’ve joined 180+ orgs across the UK in signing an open letter to the Prime Minister & political leaders, urging them to support human rights, say no to plans that weaken them, help people to use their human rights & say that human rights are for everyone.
Read it below 👇
Read it below 👇
Last week, we attended @aminamwrc.bsky.social & Scot Gov #TheHiddenHarm event to examine how the far right weaponises VAWG, fuels racism & threatens women’s safety.
Together we can reclaim the fight against gender-based violence through an anti-racist and intersectional lens.
#16DaysofActivsm
Together we can reclaim the fight against gender-based violence through an anti-racist and intersectional lens.
#16DaysofActivsm
December 8, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Last week, we attended @aminamwrc.bsky.social & Scot Gov #TheHiddenHarm event to examine how the far right weaponises VAWG, fuels racism & threatens women’s safety.
Together we can reclaim the fight against gender-based violence through an anti-racist and intersectional lens.
#16DaysofActivsm
Together we can reclaim the fight against gender-based violence through an anti-racist and intersectional lens.
#16DaysofActivsm
Disabled women are excluded by design - not by choice.
🆕Our new research reveals disabled women face discrimination at every stage of employment.
Read the report below ⬇️
Full report: buff.ly/YzlUsN8
Summary report: buff.ly/1rXx57i
Easy read: buff.ly/q9DpAW2
🆕Our new research reveals disabled women face discrimination at every stage of employment.
Read the report below ⬇️
Full report: buff.ly/YzlUsN8
Summary report: buff.ly/1rXx57i
Easy read: buff.ly/q9DpAW2
November 25, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Disabled women are excluded by design - not by choice.
🆕Our new research reveals disabled women face discrimination at every stage of employment.
Read the report below ⬇️
Full report: buff.ly/YzlUsN8
Summary report: buff.ly/1rXx57i
Easy read: buff.ly/q9DpAW2
🆕Our new research reveals disabled women face discrimination at every stage of employment.
Read the report below ⬇️
Full report: buff.ly/YzlUsN8
Summary report: buff.ly/1rXx57i
Easy read: buff.ly/q9DpAW2
That’s a wrap on our launch event for #ExcludedByDesign: Research on disabled women’s employment in Scotland.
Thank you to everyone who attended, our excellent panellists, our researchers & the 900+ women across Scotland who shared their experiences.
Thank you to everyone who attended, our excellent panellists, our researchers & the 900+ women across Scotland who shared their experiences.
November 25, 2025 at 4:33 PM
That’s a wrap on our launch event for #ExcludedByDesign: Research on disabled women’s employment in Scotland.
Thank you to everyone who attended, our excellent panellists, our researchers & the 900+ women across Scotland who shared their experiences.
Thank you to everyone who attended, our excellent panellists, our researchers & the 900+ women across Scotland who shared their experiences.
Closing remarks from Anna who thanked everyone for their interest #ExcludedByDesign
She added ‘the power in solidarity’ to demand action and change was evident today.
She added ‘the power in solidarity’ to demand action and change was evident today.
November 25, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Closing remarks from Anna who thanked everyone for their interest #ExcludedByDesign
She added ‘the power in solidarity’ to demand action and change was evident today.
She added ‘the power in solidarity’ to demand action and change was evident today.
Heather Fisken, CEO of Inclusion Scotland, was pleased #ExcludedByDesign was ‘at last’ a report that aligns to the social model of disability, referencing the lack of research like this done by non-DPOs.
She also added: ‘At last a report that looks at intersecting qualities.’
She also added: ‘At last a report that looks at intersecting qualities.’
November 25, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Heather Fisken, CEO of Inclusion Scotland, was pleased #ExcludedByDesign was ‘at last’ a report that aligns to the social model of disability, referencing the lack of research like this done by non-DPOs.
She also added: ‘At last a report that looks at intersecting qualities.’
She also added: ‘At last a report that looks at intersecting qualities.’
Tressa Burke, CEO of Glasgow Disability Alliance, noted that the #ExcludedByDesign research was ‘shocking but not surprising’ & that the findings of this report correlated with GDA’s own research.
She welcomed how useful it is to have Scottish-specific data on this area.
She welcomed how useful it is to have Scottish-specific data on this area.
November 25, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Tressa Burke, CEO of Glasgow Disability Alliance, noted that the #ExcludedByDesign research was ‘shocking but not surprising’ & that the findings of this report correlated with GDA’s own research.
She welcomed how useful it is to have Scottish-specific data on this area.
She welcomed how useful it is to have Scottish-specific data on this area.
Joining us online, Carol Wood, chair of @scottishtuc.bsky.social Disabled Workers’ Committee, spoke of the recognising the ‘powerful value of this research’ and that it is a good place to start campaigning for workers’ rights for disabled people.
#ExcludedByDesign
#ExcludedByDesign
November 25, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Joining us online, Carol Wood, chair of @scottishtuc.bsky.social Disabled Workers’ Committee, spoke of the recognising the ‘powerful value of this research’ and that it is a good place to start campaigning for workers’ rights for disabled people.
#ExcludedByDesign
#ExcludedByDesign
Onto our panel session with Tressa Burke, CEO Glasgow Disability Alliance, Heather Fisken, CEO Inclusion Scotland, & Carol Wood, chair of @scottishtuc.bsky.social Disabled Workers’ Committee.
#ExcludedByDesign
#ExcludedByDesign
November 25, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Onto our panel session with Tressa Burke, CEO Glasgow Disability Alliance, Heather Fisken, CEO Inclusion Scotland, & Carol Wood, chair of @scottishtuc.bsky.social Disabled Workers’ Committee.
#ExcludedByDesign
#ExcludedByDesign
Trade unions need to:
• build capacity in reps on disability & securing reasonable adjustments
• make achieving accessible workplaces a trade union priority
• enable disabled women workers to take part in trades councils
#ExcludedByDesign
• build capacity in reps on disability & securing reasonable adjustments
• make achieving accessible workplaces a trade union priority
• enable disabled women workers to take part in trades councils
#ExcludedByDesign
November 25, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Trade unions need to:
• build capacity in reps on disability & securing reasonable adjustments
• make achieving accessible workplaces a trade union priority
• enable disabled women workers to take part in trades councils
#ExcludedByDesign
• build capacity in reps on disability & securing reasonable adjustments
• make achieving accessible workplaces a trade union priority
• enable disabled women workers to take part in trades councils
#ExcludedByDesign
Employers need to:
• provide expert training
• ensure recruitment, training & career development are accessible & inclusive
• record disability-related sick leave separately
• implement reasonable adjustments passports
• take a ‘default yes’ approach to flexible working
#ExcludedByDesign
• provide expert training
• ensure recruitment, training & career development are accessible & inclusive
• record disability-related sick leave separately
• implement reasonable adjustments passports
• take a ‘default yes’ approach to flexible working
#ExcludedByDesign
November 25, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Employers need to:
• provide expert training
• ensure recruitment, training & career development are accessible & inclusive
• record disability-related sick leave separately
• implement reasonable adjustments passports
• take a ‘default yes’ approach to flexible working
#ExcludedByDesign
• provide expert training
• ensure recruitment, training & career development are accessible & inclusive
• record disability-related sick leave separately
• implement reasonable adjustments passports
• take a ‘default yes’ approach to flexible working
#ExcludedByDesign
UK Government need to:
• reverse planned cuts to Access to Work & address backlog
• reform Access to Work with disabled people's co-design
• implement mandatory disability pay gap actions plans
• strengthen employer accountability on reasonable adjustments
#ExcludedByDesign
• reverse planned cuts to Access to Work & address backlog
• reform Access to Work with disabled people's co-design
• implement mandatory disability pay gap actions plans
• strengthen employer accountability on reasonable adjustments
#ExcludedByDesign
November 25, 2025 at 3:48 PM
UK Government need to:
• reverse planned cuts to Access to Work & address backlog
• reform Access to Work with disabled people's co-design
• implement mandatory disability pay gap actions plans
• strengthen employer accountability on reasonable adjustments
#ExcludedByDesign
• reverse planned cuts to Access to Work & address backlog
• reform Access to Work with disabled people's co-design
• implement mandatory disability pay gap actions plans
• strengthen employer accountability on reasonable adjustments
#ExcludedByDesign
Scottish Government need to:
• centre disabled women in fair work policy
• improve intersectional data
• address disabled women's poverty to tackle child poverty
• enable better performance of PSED
• set a timeline for scrapping non-residential social care charges
#ExcludedByDesign
• centre disabled women in fair work policy
• improve intersectional data
• address disabled women's poverty to tackle child poverty
• enable better performance of PSED
• set a timeline for scrapping non-residential social care charges
#ExcludedByDesign
November 25, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Scottish Government need to:
• centre disabled women in fair work policy
• improve intersectional data
• address disabled women's poverty to tackle child poverty
• enable better performance of PSED
• set a timeline for scrapping non-residential social care charges
#ExcludedByDesign
• centre disabled women in fair work policy
• improve intersectional data
• address disabled women's poverty to tackle child poverty
• enable better performance of PSED
• set a timeline for scrapping non-residential social care charges
#ExcludedByDesign
Almost 3/4 (73%) of disabled women reported experiencing physical or mental harm at work, with racially minoritised women being more likely to feel this way, showing the harmful affect of racism.
#ExcludedByDesign
#ExcludedByDesign
November 25, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Almost 3/4 (73%) of disabled women reported experiencing physical or mental harm at work, with racially minoritised women being more likely to feel this way, showing the harmful affect of racism.
#ExcludedByDesign
#ExcludedByDesign
Colleague doubts and judgements were a common theme with 81% of disabled women feeling the need to work harder to prove they were as capable as non-disabled colleagues.
One participant told us: “I have been made to feel a burden and not a team player.”
#ExcludedByDesign
One participant told us: “I have been made to feel a burden and not a team player.”
#ExcludedByDesign
November 25, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Colleague doubts and judgements were a common theme with 81% of disabled women feeling the need to work harder to prove they were as capable as non-disabled colleagues.
One participant told us: “I have been made to feel a burden and not a team player.”
#ExcludedByDesign
One participant told us: “I have been made to feel a burden and not a team player.”
#ExcludedByDesign
A continuous burden is placed on disabled women to advocate for their own support amid a lack of employer understanding of disability and their legal responsibilities around this.
Neurodivergent women reported least satisfaction that adjustments were put in place immediately.
#ExcludedByDesign
Neurodivergent women reported least satisfaction that adjustments were put in place immediately.
#ExcludedByDesign
November 25, 2025 at 11:52 AM
A continuous burden is placed on disabled women to advocate for their own support amid a lack of employer understanding of disability and their legal responsibilities around this.
Neurodivergent women reported least satisfaction that adjustments were put in place immediately.
#ExcludedByDesign
Neurodivergent women reported least satisfaction that adjustments were put in place immediately.
#ExcludedByDesign
A quarter (25.6%) of disabled women reported discrimination at the application stage & 27.8% at interview. Racially minoritised women more likely to feel this way.
1/3 of disabled women find the recruitment progress difficult, increases to over 2/3s for neurodivergent women.
#ExcludedByDesign
1/3 of disabled women find the recruitment progress difficult, increases to over 2/3s for neurodivergent women.
#ExcludedByDesign
November 25, 2025 at 11:21 AM
A quarter (25.6%) of disabled women reported discrimination at the application stage & 27.8% at interview. Racially minoritised women more likely to feel this way.
1/3 of disabled women find the recruitment progress difficult, increases to over 2/3s for neurodivergent women.
#ExcludedByDesign
1/3 of disabled women find the recruitment progress difficult, increases to over 2/3s for neurodivergent women.
#ExcludedByDesign
Anna presenting the findings of our #ExcludedbyDesign research, highlighting that disabled women face discrimination at every stage of employment: from getting a job and accessing support to progressing at work.
November 25, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Anna presenting the findings of our #ExcludedbyDesign research, highlighting that disabled women face discrimination at every stage of employment: from getting a job and accessing support to progressing at work.
Existing data shows that disabled women are most likely to work in low paid, undervalued, labour intensive with irregular working hours.
They face higher pay gaps, with a 23.2% pay gap for disabled women compared to non-disabled men.
#ExcludedByDesign
They face higher pay gaps, with a 23.2% pay gap for disabled women compared to non-disabled men.
#ExcludedByDesign
November 25, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Existing data shows that disabled women are most likely to work in low paid, undervalued, labour intensive with irregular working hours.
They face higher pay gaps, with a 23.2% pay gap for disabled women compared to non-disabled men.
#ExcludedByDesign
They face higher pay gaps, with a 23.2% pay gap for disabled women compared to non-disabled men.
#ExcludedByDesign
Anna Ritchie Allan, Executive Director at Close the Gap, opening our event to a packed audience in person and online.
#ExcludedbyDesign
#ExcludedbyDesign
November 25, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Anna Ritchie Allan, Executive Director at Close the Gap, opening our event to a packed audience in person and online.
#ExcludedbyDesign
#ExcludedbyDesign
We’ve got a packed agenda at our #ExcludedByDesign event today: Anna Ritchie Allan is chairing & presenting our findings, and we’ve got an expert panel to discuss and illuminate findings of our new research.
November 25, 2025 at 10:25 AM
We’ve got a packed agenda at our #ExcludedByDesign event today: Anna Ritchie Allan is chairing & presenting our findings, and we’ve got an expert panel to discuss and illuminate findings of our new research.
Today we’re launching our newest research on disabled women’s experiences of employment in Scotland.
If you’re attending our event online or in person, use the hashtag #ExcludedByDesign
If you’re attending our event online or in person, use the hashtag #ExcludedByDesign
November 25, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Today we’re launching our newest research on disabled women’s experiences of employment in Scotland.
If you’re attending our event online or in person, use the hashtag #ExcludedByDesign
If you’re attending our event online or in person, use the hashtag #ExcludedByDesign
We're pleased to see this motion by Mercedes Villalba MSP highlighting our upcoming research on disabled women’s employment in Scotland.
On Saturday we previewed #ExcludedByDesign at @scottishtuc.bsky.social annual Disabled Workers' Conference. The research will be officially launched tomorrow.
On Saturday we previewed #ExcludedByDesign at @scottishtuc.bsky.social annual Disabled Workers' Conference. The research will be officially launched tomorrow.
November 24, 2025 at 4:36 PM
We're pleased to see this motion by Mercedes Villalba MSP highlighting our upcoming research on disabled women’s employment in Scotland.
On Saturday we previewed #ExcludedByDesign at @scottishtuc.bsky.social annual Disabled Workers' Conference. The research will be officially launched tomorrow.
On Saturday we previewed #ExcludedByDesign at @scottishtuc.bsky.social annual Disabled Workers' Conference. The research will be officially launched tomorrow.
📣 We've got a limited number of in-person tickets still available for the launch of our new research on disabled women's employment in Scotland.
📆 Tuesday 25th November 2025, 10.00am – 01.00pm
📍DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central (online tickets also available).
🔗 Register here: buff.ly/6l3eFU8
📆 Tuesday 25th November 2025, 10.00am – 01.00pm
📍DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central (online tickets also available).
🔗 Register here: buff.ly/6l3eFU8
November 22, 2025 at 11:00 AM
📣 We've got a limited number of in-person tickets still available for the launch of our new research on disabled women's employment in Scotland.
📆 Tuesday 25th November 2025, 10.00am – 01.00pm
📍DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central (online tickets also available).
🔗 Register here: buff.ly/6l3eFU8
📆 Tuesday 25th November 2025, 10.00am – 01.00pm
📍DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central (online tickets also available).
🔗 Register here: buff.ly/6l3eFU8
Today is #EqualPayDay, highlighting when women in the UK effectively work for free for the rest of the year due to the #GenderPayGap.
📈 The Scottish pay gap is now at 10%, a rise from 8.3% in 2024, while the headline UK pay gap is 10.9%.
📈 The Scottish pay gap is now at 10%, a rise from 8.3% in 2024, while the headline UK pay gap is 10.9%.
November 22, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Today is #EqualPayDay, highlighting when women in the UK effectively work for free for the rest of the year due to the #GenderPayGap.
📈 The Scottish pay gap is now at 10%, a rise from 8.3% in 2024, while the headline UK pay gap is 10.9%.
📈 The Scottish pay gap is now at 10%, a rise from 8.3% in 2024, while the headline UK pay gap is 10.9%.