To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the participation of disabled people in the economy is of significant benefit. (S6O-03846)

Presiding Officer and members in the chamber, please accept my apologies for my failure to be present at the opening of portfolio questions. I misunderstood when the meeting would be reconvening.

The participation of disabled people in the economy is an important factor in individuals’ ability to thrive and to lead fulfilling lives, and growing the economy is one of the Government’s top four priorities. The programme for government sets out how we will support people who are already in work, help more people back into work and address long-term economic inactivity. Alongside our national employability offer, that includes improving access to health services by 2025 and introducing enhanced specialist support for disabled people across all 32 local authorities.

Disabled people make up around 20 per cent of the population in Scotland, but many of them remain unable to participate in society due to historical and systemic barriers that still exist. Does the minister agree that we deserve to have a champion in the shape of a disability commissioner to ensure that the future is brighter than the past?

I recognise the substance of the member’s question and his championing of the idea of a disability commissioner. I appreciate that Parliament will consider that role in more detail alongside the broader commissioner landscape.

I reassure the member that this Government is committed to closing the disability employment gap in partnership with not only local government but the United Kingdom Government, given the significance of reserved areas in the employability landscape and the UK Government’s agenda on closing that gap. I am committed to working in a genuine spirit of partnership to ensure that we close the disability employment gap so that we can have a Scotland where everyone who wishes to fully participate in the labour market can do so.

Anyone who wants to secure and sustain work should be able to do so, regardless of disability. Can the minister provide an update on the Scottish Government’s ambition to ensure that people seeking work who are disabled or have long-term health conditions are offered support from a dedicated employability adviser, as outlined in the programme for government?

Through our no one left behind approach to devolved employability services, disabled people are eligible for support from a dedicated adviser in all 32 local authorities. Our statistics show that we are making progress, with the proportion of disabled people who are accessing our services increasing. However, we are committed to doing more to tackle labour market inequality, which is why we committed in the programme for government to introducing specialist employability support from summer 2025. That will ensure greater levels of support locally for disabled people to select, obtain and retain employment.