A new £1.5 million Improving Access Fund has been launched by the Scottish Government to strengthen essential services and support for disabled people, while the Social Justice Secretary has urged the UK Government to abandon proposals that could drive up the cost of mobility vehicles for thousands of disabled Scots.
The Improving Access Fund is part of the Scottish Government’s £3 million Disability Equality Plan and was jointly designed with Disabled People’s Organisations.
It aims to fund projects that break down barriers, promote independent living and strengthen equality across Scotland.
The fund will focus on three main priorities: accessible financial advice and support, inclusive participation in communities and everyday life, and improved mental health and wellbeing.
Announcing the new scheme, Minister for Equalities Kaukab Stewart said:
“Scotland should be a country where disabled people can live the lives they choose, supported, empowered and included every step of the way.
“The launch of our Improving Access Fund is a really important step towards that.
“It has been designed with disabled people, for disabled people.
“Through our Disability Equality Plan, we are making a clear commitment: disabled people are a priority for the Scottish Government.
“By investing £3 million in this work, we are strengthening access to the services and support that enable independence, choice and participation.
“In contrast, disabled people in Scotland remain deeply concerned about the potential effects of planned UK Government welfare reforms.
“We call on the UK Government to abandon these damaging proposals and to follow the Scottish Government’s lead in investing in and enhancing the social security safety net, rather than tearing it apart.”
The fund has been welcomed by leading organisations across the disability sector.
Heather Fisken, Chief Executive of Inclusion Scotland, said:
“Disabled People’s Organisations are led by disabled people ourselves and know best what needs to change.
“For too long our organisations have had to shift shape to ‘fit’ with funders’ missions and requirements, missing out on critical funding to keep our organisations running and to make the changes desperately needed so that disabled people are empowered in their own lives.
“The Improving Access Fund is different because it targets Disabled People’s Organisations, and DPOs helped to design it.”
Tressa Burke, Chief Executive of Glasgow Disability Alliance, added:
“Our survey of 756 disabled members found 91% are deeply concerned about equality and human rights, feeling under attack and de-prioritised.
“This has led to poverty, exclusion, poorer mental health and reduced participation in daily life.
“Glasgow Disability Alliance and our members welcome the Improving Access Fund, which will advance equality, independent living, choice and participation.”
Lyn Pornaro, Chief Executive of Disability Equality Scotland, said:
“Disabled people demand justice and access to services, buildings, events and public bodies in the same way as non-disabled people.
“This fund is a starting point to improving access to the key areas of focus in the Disability Equality Plan and, most importantly, in the lives of disabled people daily.”
The Scottish Government’s announcement came as Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville wrote to the UK Government urging them to scrap potential tax changes that could see thousands of disabled people paying more for vehicles leased through the Motability scheme.
In her letter to Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden, Ms Somerville said she was “deeply concerned” about the possibility of removing VAT zero-rating and Insurance Premium Tax exemptions for Motability customers, warning that the changes would significantly increase vehicle costs for nearly 88,000 disabled people and carers in Scotland.
She said:
“These proposals will cause significant fear and uncertainty for disabled people who rely on the scheme to remain mobile and affordably lease a vehicle with no credit checks.
“Should the changes to the VAT arrangements be implemented by the UK Government, Motability has indicated that the advance payments for vehicles could increase significantly for disabled people at a time when household budgets are already under significant pressure.”
The Social Justice Secretary said the proposals highlight the need for greater consultation between the UK and Scottish Governments on matters that directly affect devolved schemes such as Scotland’s Accessible Vehicle and Equipment Scheme.
“I would strongly urge you to abandon these proposals and ensure that disabled people can access the support that meets their needs,” she wrote.
“If the UK Government does not, then disabled people can conclude that the UK Government remains content to balance the books at their expense.”
She also called for a full Equality Impact Assessment on the proposed tax changes, stating:
“I would welcome your urgent reassurance that HM Treasury will undertake a meaningful Equality Impact Assessment to assess the financial, wellbeing and health impact of any changes to disabled people, along with a commitment to publish that assessment.”
Ms Somerville added that the Scottish Government already spends around £1.4 billion mitigating the impact of UK Government welfare policies, including the two-child benefit limit, and that it is neither realistic nor right for Holyrood to shoulder the financial burden of Westminster decisions that disadvantage vulnerable people.
She concluded:
“The UK Government must not balance the books at the expense of disabled people at a time when household budgets are under significant pressure.”
Together, the Improving Access Fund and the call to protect Motability users reflect the Scottish Government’s broader commitment to disability equality, supporting empowerment, independence and fairness while challenging policies that risk deepening inequality across the UK.
