An independent review, the Lilac Review, has unveiled substantial barriers faced by disabled entrepreneurs in the UK. It highlights key issues such as inaccessible support services, limited access to finance, and the demanding “burden of proof of disability.”
Launched in February, this government-backed review is co-chaired by Kevin Hollinrake (Minister for Small Business), Mims Davies (Minister for Disabled People), and Victoria Jenkins (founder and CEO of Unhidden). The preliminary findings indicate that disabled entrepreneurs struggle with overly complex processes to secure business support, finance, and welfare.
The review estimates that enhancing entrepreneurial opportunities for disabled individuals could unlock an additional £230 billion in UK business turnover. The proposed recommendations are:
Simplifying Support Services: Overhauling support services to prioritise the needs of disabled entrepreneurs, including improved mentoring, networking, business training, and guidance.
Eliminating Annual Benefit Reassessments: Removing annual benefit reassessments for lifelong conditions to alleviate administrative burdens and reduce the need for entrepreneurs to continually justify their support requirements.
Trust-Based Access to Support: Transitioning to a trust-based system for disability support access rather than one requiring proof.
Victoria Jenkins underscored the importance of equitable opportunities, stating, “What we want is to be given equal access to opportunities, so we are free simply to be entrepreneurs and to grow our business to the best of our ambition and abilities.”
The final report and recommendations from the Lilac Review are expected by the end of next year.
Led by Small Business Britain, this review follows the example set by the Rose Review, which identified barriers to female entrepreneurship. The Rose Review’s initiatives, such as the “Investing in Women Code,” significantly boosted female entrepreneurship, illustrating the impact of targeted support and policy reforms.
The Lilac Review aspires to similarly transform the environment for disabled entrepreneurs, ensuring they receive the necessary support and opportunities to succeed. Jenkins highlighted the importance of involving a diverse range of founders in creating these services to address the varied experiences of disability, aiming to build a more equitable world for disabled entrepreneurs.