JUSTIN Tomlinson has given his backing to a campaign aimed at helping people suffering with hearing loss to get back into work.

The MP for North Swindon attended the Westminster launch of a new campaign by Action on Hearing Loss in Parliament last week.

The organisation, formerly the Royal National Institute for the Deaf, spearheads work to break down the barriers that people with a hearing loss face when trying to find employment.

On Wednesday, the charity launched their new employment report which they have called ‘working for change - improving attitudes to hearing loss in the workplace’.

It urges businesses and government to work closer together to help people with a hearing loss to identify opportunities for work and stay in those roles for longer once they have secured them.

There are currently 11 million people in the UK with some form of hearing loss.

While it may be a problem most associated with the elderly, figures show that almost five million are actually of working age.

Campaigners say that number is expected to rise in the coming years.

Announcing his support for the campaign, Justin said: “It’s great to support Action on Hearing Loss’ campaign to help people who are deaf or have hearing loss to have equality in finding work.

“I would urge all businesses and organisations in Swindon to use the charity’s myth-busting report which will really assist in guiding and sign-posting them to the support that is available to help with employing people with disabilities.

“As the former Minister for Disabled People, I recognise the importance of promoting the incredible contribution that disabled people can bring to the work place, and it’s very important to have these myth-busting reports to provide accurate information.”

Paul Breckell, Action on Hearing Loss chief executive, said: “We are delighted that Justin attended the launch of our new employment report which will help businesses to support people with hearing loss to maximise their valuable skills.

“It makes no sense that people have to retire or give up work due to their hearing loss owing to an unsupportive working environment.

“This is costly to employers as they lose highly-skilled staff and will need to spend to recruit again.”

Evidence gathered as part of the report suggests that there is a lack of confidence amongst employers in taking the decision to hire people with hearing loss.

They often perceive there to be a lack of advice and support available and therefore shy away from taking a decision they don’t fully understand the ramifications of.

Some employers also said they were unaware of the government’s Access to Work scheme.

It can be used to help meet the costs of reasonable adjustments needed to allow a person with hearing loss to work comfortably in a certain environment

More broadly, a number of employers are still reluctant to support an ageing workforce.