Hansard

I thank all members for their thoughtful contributions. I pay tribute to Pam Duncan-Glancy for lodging this important motion, which shows our shared commitment to equality and inclusion. I will try to refer to as many points as possible, but, as usual, there has been a wide variety of comments. If there is anything that I do not mention, I am quite happy for people to follow that up with me.

I will also take a moment to acknowledge the loss of two remarkable individuals. Etienne D’Abolville has been mentioned and remembered by Pam Duncan-Glancy, and I would also like to pay tribute to Alan Dick. Both were powerful and dedicated advocates for independent living and tireless champions of disabled people’s rights. We honour their legacy and, of course, I extend our condolences to all who knew and loved them. They give us a reason to keep going. They fought, and I see that Pam Duncan-Glancy is carrying on that fight.

Pam Duncan-Glancy spoke of her accomplishment in being the first permanent wheelchair user to be elected to the Scottish Parliament, and I know that she will make sure that she is not the last. From a personal point of view, speaking as the first woman of colour to be elected to the Parliament, I can say the same. We are not the ones who will pull up the ladder behind us—in fact, I would say that we would both get rid of the need for that ladder in the first place.

In the meantime, I will highlight the access to elected office fund, which opened again on 6 May. Having originally started as a pilot in 2017, it provides practical and financial support and is now on a statutory footing, following the Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Act 2025. Of course, it goes without saying that the fund does not help with any political messaging; it just provides practical support. So far, the fund has helped more than 100 disabled candidates who have stood for election.

Comments were made on fair work, and our ambition is to at least halve the disability employment gap by 2038. The estimated disability employment rate gap has decreased, from 37.4 per cent between January and December 2016 to 31.5 per cent between January and December 2024, according to Office for National Statistics records. Clearly, that figure is still too high, and there are challenges there that we will address, but we are making progress in that area.

Accessible transport was also mentioned. The vision is that disabled people will be able to travel with the same freedom, choice, dignity and opportunity as other citizens. Launched in 2016, the 10-year accessible travel framework was co-produced with disabled people. The 2024 to 2026 delivery plan covers delivery for the final two years of that framework, and work on that is progressing. There are regular consultations with representatives from disabled people’s organisations, to hear about what more can be done.

I was very pleased to launch the pilot to provide concessionary travel on public transport for companions of those who are blind and visually impaired. That was a further achievement.

Since, in 1992, the UN designated 3 December, which is tomorrow, as international day of persons with disabilities, the aim has been clear—to champion the rights of disabled people and to ensure their full participation in every aspect of life. However, we know that barriers remain in education, employment, transport and public services, leaving too many at risk of poverty and exclusion.

I hear the points that were made by Jeremy Balfour. Although I understand and share his concerns about not moving fast enough, I do not completely agree with the narrative that he painted. I engage fully with disabled people’s organisations, and I launched the improving access fund, with a significant contribution of £1.5 million. That was very warmly welcomed by disabled people’s organisations, because it provides practical help that will assist people in their daily lives.

This year’s theme—fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress—means that equality is not optional. We know that it is essential to tackling poverty and building a fairer Scotland. Participation is the foundation of progress. We want to make sure that the disability equality plan, which was co-designed, has a focus on three priorities: strengthening financial security, bolstering inclusive participation, and improving mental health and wellbeing.

I am mindful of the time, so I will finish by saying that we are also embedding disability competence across Government, so that policies are not only designed for disabled people but shaped with them, making inclusion a starting point.

A fairer Scotland is possible only when equal rights are secured for everyone. That requires more than this debate; it requires more than good intentions—I know that. It also demands action, determination and a shared responsibility. Together, we will continue to dismantle the barriers and build a Scotland where equality is lived and not just imagined.