Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 28 March 2019
28 Mar 2019 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Disabled People
I thank the minister and the Government for bringing this timely and important debate to the chamber this afternoon.
It is fair to say that we have seen significant improvements in the law to protect the rights of disabled people. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Equality Act 2010 and the United Kingdom Disability Discrimination Act 1995 have helped to protect the rights of disabled people. At face value, we appear to have travelled far, but my conversations with disabled people and disability organisations suggest that we are a long way from achieving equality. A report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission described disabled people in Scotland as being “left behind” and facing significant inequalities, including low attainment rates and higher unemployment.
The Scottish Conservatives have supported the Scottish Government’s delivery plan for disabled people from its launch and we agree with the Scottish Government’s stated ambitions for it. Like the Scottish Government, we want support services that promote independent living, meet needs and enable life choices, opportunities and participation.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Christine Grahame)
SNP
The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-16593, in the name of Christina McKelvie, on progressing towards a fairer Scotland for disabled people. T...
The Minister for Older People and Equalities (Christina McKelvie)
SNP
It is my great pleasure to open this debate. I welcome the disabled people who join us in the public gallery, and I thank the British Sign Language interpret...
Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab)
Lab
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Christina McKelvie
SNP
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Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Con)
Con
I thank the minister and the Government for bringing this timely and important debate to the chamber this afternoon. It is fair to say that we have seen sig...
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD)
LD
Sarah Newton, the UK Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work, resigned two weeks ago and has not been replaced. It emerged yesterday that Ther...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I have some time in hand for interventions, so you will get your time back, Mr Balfour.
Jeremy Balfour
Con
First, I put on record my appreciation for the good work that Sarah Newton did across the UK. In my meetings with her, she really understood what the disable...
Mark Griffin (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I thank the Presiding Officer and the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body for again making the Parliament an exemplar in the provision of access to people ...
The Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People (Shirley-Anne Somerville)
SNP
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Mark Griffin
Lab
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Andy Wightman (Lothian) (Green)
Green
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The Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills (Jamie Hepburn)
SNP
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The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Minister, I understand why you turned sideways to intervene, but I think that it could be quite hard for the BSL interpreters to interpret your comments when...
Andy Wightman
Green
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Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD)
LD
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The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
We come to the open debate and speeches of six minutes. We have a few minutes in hand for interventions. If a member intervenes, their request-to-speak butto...
George Adam (Paisley) (SNP)
SNP
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Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab)
Lab
Will the member give way?
George Adam
SNP
I will take an intervention—if Mr Lyle is still having a conversation.
Daniel Johnson
Lab
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George Adam
SNP
I was speaking as the chief whip for the Scottish Government and about the SNP group, in particular. I was looking at the people I work with on a day-to-day ...
Oliver Mundell (Dumfriesshire) (Con)
Con
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Daniel Johnson
Lab
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Oliver Mundell
Con
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Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP)
SNP
The Scottish Government, the Parliament and society must recognise the rich and valuable contribution that disabled people make to all aspects of public and ...
Jeremy Balfour
Con
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Kenneth Gibson
SNP
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The Deputy Presiding Officer (Linda Fabiani)
SNP
I give members notice that I might have to cut the length of the final speeches. I call Jackie Baillie, to be followed by Mark McDonald. 15:51
Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab)
Lab
That is clearly bad timing on my part, Presiding Officer, but I welcome the opportunity to take part in the debate. Judging from the briefings that we receiv...