Enterprise and Lifelong Learning

Question Time — scottish executive – in the Scottish Parliament at 2:30 pm on 25 May 2000.

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Photo of Nora Radcliffe Nora Radcliffe Liberal Democrat 2:30, 25 May 2000

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made in increasing employment opportunities for disabled people. (S1O-01770)

Photo of Nicol Stephen Nicol Stephen Liberal Democrat

A comprehensive range of policy measures is in place to ensure that those with disabilities or other special needs can play an effective part in Scotland's economic future and gain access to education and lifelong learning to improve their employability.

We are committed to widening access to further and higher education. The needs of people with disabilities will be a key element in taking forward our response to the Beattie committee report, our current consultation on student support and our commitment to targeting resources on the most disadvantaged students and unemployed people.

Photo of Nora Radcliffe Nora Radcliffe Liberal Democrat

I thank the minister for his answer and welcome the things he mentions, but what assurances can the Scottish Executive give groups such as Gordon Disability Action in Inverurie, whose core funding has been cut and whose lottery funding will run out in July, that they will be able to continue their valuable work in promoting opportunities for disabled people? Does the Scottish Executive agree that more incentives and more stability of funding is needed for Gordon Disability Action and other similar innovative and user-led organisations?

Photo of Nicol Stephen Nicol Stephen Liberal Democrat

I am aware of Gordon Disability Action and the good work it does; I am not aware of the details of its funding. Voluntary organisations have a vital role to play in such work. I realise the importance of stable, longer-term funding to many such organisations. Having to fund on a project-by-project basis can create unfortunate uncertainty.

The Executive is making additional funding available for disabled people in a variety of ways. In our response to the Beattie committee report, funding and the role of voluntary organisations will be key issues.

Photo of Michael Matheson Michael Matheson Scottish National Party

Is the minister aware that the therapeutic earnings regulations on benefits cause difficulty for disabled people in gaining employment—especially for disabled people who live in supported accommodation—as they restrict the amount of time people can work and the level of wage they may earn?

In his commitment to ensure that disabled people have an opportunity to be involved in the employment market, will the minister make representations to social security ministers to have those regulations either relaxed or removed so that disabled people will have full opportunities to gain purposeful employment?

Photo of Nicol Stephen Nicol Stephen Liberal Democrat

I am aware of the importance of the benefits issue. Again, I am not aware of details of the particular example Mr Matheson gives, but one of the benefits of the joint ministerial committees is the opportunity for the Scottish Executive to work together with the United Kingdom Government on such issues and to make appropriate representations.