A committee has been founded to provide expert advice on the employment of disabled people.

The Disability Employment Advisory Committee has been established to advise the Department for Work and Pensions on the labour market barriers faced by disabled people and make recommendations to help overcome them.

Maria Eagle, minister for disabled people, said: "Disabled people must be able to live in an inclusive society where they have the same chances as everyone else and extending employment opportunities to disabled people is key."

Sally Witcher, the committee's chairwoman, said: "Disabled people have a wealth of skills and talents to contribute to the labour market and it is vital that we all work together to remove the barriers that stand in their way.

"The committee represents a fantastic opportunity to really make a difference to the lives of disabled people, bringing benefits not just to them and their families but also to employers and society."

The committee is made up of people from within leading companies, trade unions, organisations of and for disabled people and providers of services for disabled people.

The majority of members have personal experience of disability.