Portfolio Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at 12:48 pm on 19 December 2024.
Paul O'Kane
Labour
12:48,
19 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what recent engagement its ministers have had with disabled people’s organisations to discuss any concerns of disabled people. (S6O-04145)
Kaukab Stewart
Scottish National Party
On 13 November, I met representatives of disabled people’s organisations and Opposition party members to discuss the disability equality plan. Disabled people are struggling, and change is urgently needed. We are determined to do everything that we can to address the challenges that are faced by disabled people, and the Scottish budget has therefore prioritised action to address those challenges, investing an additional £2 million into the plan.
Following publication of the budget, I met representatives of disabled people’s organisations on 5 December to discuss next steps, and I look forward to continuing our work together to build towards a fairer Scotland.
Paul O'Kane
Labour
The Minister knows that I have raised concerns about the sufficiency of support that is provided to disabled people to meet the challenges that they face across Scotland. I know that the minister is trying to work across portfolios on those issues, but we have to take cognisance of the fact that the delays to the proposed learning disabilities, autism and neurodivergence bill and the disabled young people’s transition strategy have been very concerning. Most recently, I have raised the issue of promised health checks for people who have learning disabilities not happening.
Disabled people and DPOs want a renewed focus to deliver on those concerns when we return from recess in the new year. What concrete action can the disabled community expect in 2025 to finally address in full the concerns that I have mentioned, and to tackle the significant challenges that disabled people face, not least the disproportionately high poverty rate?
Kaukab Stewart
Scottish National Party
I thank Paul O’Kane for his interest and for acknowledging the hard work, collaboration and co-operation that is going on. We continue to do that work, and we are committed to delivering positive change for disabled people. As I mentioned, there is £2 million to enhance the disability equality plan in recognition of the work that is needed to improve disabled people’s lives.
We introduced the pension-age disability payment, which is worth between £290 and £434 per month to people of state pension age and over who are disabled. The child winter heating payment will help households with severely disabled children to manage the additional costs that they face this winter. We have also secured agreement from energy suppliers, consumer organisations and disabled people’s organisations to co-design a social tariff mechanism to evidence its viability.
After recess, I will continue to work in collaboration cross-party and with the DPOs to advance further steps.
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