The NEN – North Edinburgh News – Page 435 – The community media resource for north Edinburgh

Support for people with learning disabilities in Scotland

Funding allocated to projects working to enhance equality

People with learning disabilities are being supported to fulfil their potential through new funding awards totalling almost £1.6 million.

The Learning Disability Support Fund is allocated to community projects working directly with people with learning disabilities to provide opportunities and build a more inclusive society.

The fund will run for 30 months from October 2025, with a total of £325,000 available for the first year and £650,000 in each of the following two years. Recipients of the first round are receiving grants of between £75,000 and £250.000.

The charity get2gether is among the successful applicants and has been awarded £108,244 to support its work arranging social activities for people with learning disabilities in safe and friendly locations in Scotland.

Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing Tom Arthur said: “We want to create a society where people with learning disabilities can live fulfilling, independent and active lives and this funding will support the important work of get2gether and many other organisations which are working so hard to do just that.

“The grants will be used to provide people with education and information on matters such as accessing health services and developing safe relationships.

“In developing the fund, we have taken into account the views expressed by people with learning disabilities in recent consultation and research and we will work closely with the third sector to ensure it makes a real difference.”

Director at get2gether Mojca Becaj said: “For a small charity like get2gether, the Scottish Government funding through the Learning Disability Support Fund is truly transformational.

“It will enable us to continue creating safe, inclusive spaces where people with learning disabilities can build friendships, relationships, and confidence as well as provide paid roles where they can step into their first paid employment — these are things that many adults take for granted but are life-changing for our members.

“We’re deeply grateful for the recognition and investment in our work and the opportunity to keep making a real difference to the lives of get2gether members.”

Natalie Kernaghan McCaughey, a get2gether ambassador said: “I work as an ambassador at get2gether, we are a member-led charity that works with adults with disabilities. We believe everyone deserves love and friendship.

“I am a paid member of get2gether staff team, I have a lived experience of learning disability and autism. My role is to work with other members to create and co-host their own social events and make connections with each other.”

Director of Funds at Inspiring Scotland Erica Judge said: “We know that the third sector plays a critical role in improving the lives of people with learning disabilities and we are pleased that this fund offers vital longer-term funding, ensuring projects like get2gether can plan their services for the next two and a half years.

“One of the important aspects of this fund is to help ensure people with learning disabilities’ voices are heard. Not only did people with learning disabilities inform and shape the Learning Disabilities Support Fund’s aims, their voice and experience were central to the decision-making process, and they played a key role in selecting which organisations received funding.”

FUNDING AWARDS

Organisation	Funding Amount
get2gether	£108,244
Project Ability	£81,741
People First (Scotland)	£250,000
Neighbourhood Networks	£91,931
Values Into Action Scotland	£175,061
Scottish Youth Dance (YDance)	£206,106
Dates-n-Mates	£179,318
Values Into Action Scotland – The Scottish Assembly	£249,998
Association for Real Change – NIN/LIN Networks	£249,474
Total	£1,591,873

HRH Princess Anne visits The Royal Highland Heatwave!

Crowds kept cool with the coos at Friday’s Royal Highland Show

Royal Highland Show, HRH Princes Anne visits the show

Basking in udderly roasting sunshine, crowds turned out in force as the Royal Highland Show yesterday at Ingliston.

HRH Princess Anne visited the Show on Friday and was escorted by RHASS Chairman, James Logan, and Chief Executive, Alex Paterson. HRH enjoyed a tour of the Show ground, including a visit to the RHET Discovery Centre, where she met local primary school children taking part in activities.

She also enjoyed watching the showjumping competition and toured the Cattle Hall.

Fittingly, the Queens Cup was awarded today at the Royal Highland Show. A prestigious trophy which is awarded annually to the champion of the livestock entry, this year it was presented to Messrs Webster + Smith with dairy goat, Guilden Elma.

David Tennant, Head of Show, said, “Friday at the Show has been a true sun-soaked spectacle and we are thrilled to see our visitors and families enjoy all that the show has to offer.

“From sheep shearing to competitions, sheepdog skills to cookery demonstrations, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

“We were very honoured to have welcomed HRH Princess Anne today and shared with her all of the great achievements from the Scottish agricultural industry.”

Improving mental health nursing care

Review recommendations will benefit patients, staff and students

People affected by mental health issues can expect higher and more consistent standards of care following the publication of Scotland’s Mental Health Nursing Review.

The Review outlines ways to enhance and further support the mental health nursing profession. The paper was developed by mental health nurses and students, academics, with support from carers and people accessing mental health nursing care.

The Review makes a total of 24 recommendations including:

ensuring people accessing services have meaningful involvement in their mental health nursing care
improving support for newly qualified mental health nurses and sharing best practice
considering specific education needs for rural and island settings
improving access to post-registration learning for mental health nurses across all sectors

A new Mental Health Nursing Review Implementation Group will be established to ensure effective collaboration, delivery, monitoring and evaluation of the Review actions.

Mental Wellbeing Minister Tom Arthur said: “Through their expert care, compassion and dedication, mental health nursing staff make a significant and positive impact to people’s health and wellbeing every day.

“The Review focuses on their unique role, and it will ensure the profession is supported and empowered to drive the enhancement of mental health and wellbeing services now, and in the future.

“I want to thank all the mental health nursing staff and students, academics, carers and those people accessing care who engaged with and supported this work.

“I am looking forward to working collaboratively to deliver the ambition of ensuring Scotland is the best place for mental health nursing to flourish and where people live longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives.”

Chair of Scotland’s first Mental Health Nursing Review, former Chief Nursing Officer, Professor Alex McMahon said: “It has been an honour as a mental health nurse to have chaired the review and to have heard from mental health nurses and those that represent people who use services across Scotland.

“The report and its recommendations, mean that patients and mental health nurses who deliver services now and, in the future, will benefit from the reforms.

“It will be important to ensure these recommendations are implemented, and one aspiration I and others share is that we will attract and retain even more people into undergraduate nursing degree programmes.

“I believe being a mental health nurse, is one of the best and most fulfilling careers you can chose.”

Mark Richards, Associate Chief Nursing Officer said: “Our Mental Health Nursing Review highlights the vital role mental health nurses play in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of the people of Scotland.

During our work on the Review, we heard that mental health nurses are at the heart of care delivery and that their relational expertise often has a transformational impact on people’s lives.

“Mental health nurses told us they are proud of the work they do. They strive every day to deliver compassionate, high-quality care, and to work with people who need expert support to enable recovery and promote wellbeing.

“This Review is important in advancing the contribution of mental health nurses and will help ensure we have a profession that is skilled, well supported and sustainable – now and for many years to come.

“It was collectively produced by our mental health nurses in Scotland, and I look forward to us working together to deliver our ambitions.”

Darren Fullarton, Associate Nurse Director for NHS Ayrshire and Arran and Chair of the Mental Health Nurse Leads Group for Scotland, said: “The national review of mental health nursing recognises and celebrates the important role that mental health nurses play in their support and compassionate care for people experiencing mental health issues.

“The National Mental Health Nurse Lead Group are delighted to have had the opportunity to support this significant piece of work which captures views from those with lived experience, families and carers and from mental health nurses themselves to develop an ambitious vision for mental health nurses that exemplifies our commitment to care, compassion and connection.”

The Mental Health Nursing Review commenced in 2024 and was a key action within the Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy’s Workforce Action plan.

Dobbies’ fundraising walk raises over £4k for Alzheimer’s Research UK

This month 30 colleagues from Dobbies Central Support Office, based in Lasswade, completed a 25-mile fundraising walk to raise money for its national charity partner, Alzheimer’s Research UK, raising £4,150 and counting, from generous supporters.

The participants walked the almost marathon distance from Dobbies’ Edinburgh store, through Dalkeith Country Park to the mouth of the River Esk at Musselburgh, then joined the John Muir Way along the coast to North Berwick. They began the walk at 7:30am and completed it by 5pm, taking in plenty of places with historical interest and beautiful views.

Dobbies launched its partnership with the UK’s leading dementia research charity in March 2025 as part of its 160-year celebrations.

The partnership grew from gardening being a positive activity for brain health, which in turn can help reduce the risk of dementia. As part of this, Dobbies is supporting the charity’s Think Brain Health campaign to inspire people to keep their brains healthy through garden living.

Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer ^[1] and right now, almost one million people in the UK are living with it, putting precious memories and lives at risk. As well as increasing awareness of dementia, this partnership is raising vital funds for a cure through colleague and customer activity.

Laura Adamson, Head of PR, Communications and Events at Dobbies, who

took part in the walk, is feeling proud of what the team has achieved.

Laura said:“Our team has come together to do something really special to raise money for a meaningful cause and partnership that is close to so many of our colleagues and customers.

“The team has quite literally gone the extra mile to show their support for Alzheimer’s Research UK, raising vital funds to support research to find a cure for dementia.

“We would like to say a massive thank you to all our supporters who have been so generous in their donations and we are looking forward to our next fundraiser, Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Walk For A Cure, which takes place on Sunday 20 July at Holyrood Park.”

Paul Glazier, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said:
“From all of us at Alzheimer’s Research UK, a huge congratulations to the Dobbies Central Support Office team for going the distance to raise funds for dementia research. Walking a combined 750 miles is no mean feat.

“It’s team spirit and efforts like this that highlight why we’re proud to have Dobbies standing with us.

If nothing changes, one in two of us will be directly affected by dementia – either by caring for someone with the condition, developing it ourselves, or both. Alzheimer’s Research UK exists to change this, we exist for a cure, and with the support of everyone at Dobbies, we won’t stop until we end the heartbreak it causes.”

For more information on the fundraiser and how to donate, visit Dobbies CSO Fundraising Walk.

To sign up to Alzheimer Research UK’s Walk for a Cure, visit Alzheimer’s Research UK : Walk for a Cure Home

For more information about the partnership with Dobbies Garden Centres and Alzheimer’s Research UK, visit | Dobbies Garden Centres.

^[1] * Incorporates new Northern Ireland mortality data (released 21 November 2024). Figure calculated using the leading cause of death grouping developed by the World Health Organisation and adopted by the reporting bodies in each of the four nations. Data sources from Office for National Statistics (England and Wales), National Records of Scotland and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.

Deaths registered in England and Wales – Office for National Statistics

Registrar General Annual Report 2023 Cause of Death | Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency

Stats and sources can also be found here (included in the boilerplate):

Prevalence and incidence – Dementia Statistics Hub

Royal Highland Show: Opening Day Pictures

Thursday (19 June 2025) marked the first day of the Royal Highland Show weekend with over 50,000 people in attendance.

David Tennant, Head of Show, said; “We have had a wonderful start to the Show with over 50,000 people in attendance who have enjoyed sampling food and drinks from Scotland’s leading suppliers, listened to bagpipes and live music and watched leading agricultural displays. What’s more the sun has shone!

“We’re on track to sell out tickets for Friday and Saturday and with another warm and sunny few days expected, we’re encouraging those coming along to keep cool.

“We have refillable water stations across the Show, so please bring along your water bottles in you can.

We also have lots of ice cream and cold drinks to be enjoyed across the site and our Countryside area is perfect for families looking to keep little ones cool and entertained.

“We hope you enjoy the Show if it’s on your agenda this weekend!”

Edinburgh schools adopt Scottish Government guidance on school uniforms

Last week, Councillors agreed at Education, Children and Families Committee that the Scottish Government guidance on school uniform will apply to all City of Edinburgh Council schools.

In line with the decision, schools in the city should not require branded school items as a compulsory part of their uniform policy. Uniform policies should be flexible and include plain and non-branded uniform items that match school colours. Blazers and branded items of uniform will no longer be compulsory, encouraged or promoted by schools.

Schools in Edinburgh will continue to have uniforms but parents and carers will have wider choice on where they choose to purchase school uniform items and on how much they wish to spend.

In recent years the cost of school uniform has steadily increased and for some families, uniform costs, especially for higher priced branded and embroidered items, represent a significant impact on household budgets. Schools are expected to do all that they can to limit school clothing costs for families.

In line with this new guidance, parents or carers should not be directed to specialist suppliers to purchase branded items.

Councillor James Dalgleish, Education, Children and Families Convener said: “We are committed to tackling poverty and inequality in our schools and it is clear that the cost of school uniform items has, for some, created a barrier to school education. One of the ways we are addressing this is by removing the need for parents and carers to be compelled to spend more money than is necessary on school uniform.

“The Scottish Government guidance makes clear the rationale behind the new approach to school uniforms. It is the right thing to do make changes that will have a positive financial impact on families by reducing the cost of the school day, while also creating a more inclusive school environment and promoting sustainability.

“I am pleased that members of the Education, Children and Families Committee have agreed this positive step forward which is focused on supporting all pupils to come to school feeling comfortable, confident and ready to learn.”

Comedian Nish Kumar joins more than 700 anti-poverty campaigners at Westminster demanding urgent action on rising tide of hunger and hardship

Against a backdrop of unprecedented cuts to social security for disabled people and on the day of the first reading of the welfare reform bill, representatives of community food organisations from across UK called for urgent steps towards an Essentials Guarantee to ensure Universal Credit is fit for purpose:

For the first time ever, more than 700 representatives – including people experiencing severe hardship, volunteers at local food banks and representatives from community food organisations – stood shoulder-to-shoulder to create an historic lobby at Westminster on Wednesday (18th June) as part of the Guarantee our Essentials campaign.

Among the prominent figures at the event was comedian, TV personality and Trussell supporter Nish Kumar who joined calls for a stronger social security system that ensures everyone can afford the essentials, like food.

Right now, more than 9.3 million people – including more than three million children – are facing hunger and hardship across the UK. In response, leading anti-poverty organisations including Trussell, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Independent Food Aid Network, Feeding Britain, Salvation Army and Your Local Pantry united in London to urge the UK government to take immediate action.

People from across the four nations of the UK came to meet their constituent MP, speak out against the levels of severe hardship they are seeing in their local area, and ask policymakers to play their part in delivering urgent and meaningful change to our social security system.

Representatives are calling for steps towards an Essentials Guarantee which would ensure Universal Credit is fit for purpose, helping to prevent people from having to use a food bank.

This means moving closer to a guarantee that the basic rate of Universal Credit provides enough to ensure people are at least able to afford the essentials we all need to get by, such as food and bills.

Alongside the lobby, Trussell organised a panel discussion with people experiencing severe hardship and a session hosted by Nish Kumar.

The event took place on the same day the UK government published its draft welfare reform bill, and millions of the UK public nervously wait to hear how MPs will vote on £7 billion worth of cruel cuts to disabled people’s social security payments. These cuts will push 440,000 more people in disabled households into severe hardship, according to Trussell research.

Shockingly, three in four people who come to food banks in the Trussell community are disabled or live with someone who is, as disability payments for too many people already fall short of covering the essentials, like food and heating.

Too many people are falling behind on bills, are becoming trapped in debt, and having to live in cold, damp homes.

Trussell says this is not right, and the majority of the UK public agrees that social security payments for disabled people should be enough to cover at least the essentials.

Representatives at the lobby told more than 150 MPs these levels of severe hardship can and must change for the better. They urged them to play their part and join Trussell, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), and more than 100 charities, in calling on the UK government to create an Essentials Guarantee.

Steps towards achieving this include implementing a ‘full boost’ to Universal Credit, raising it by £5 a week after inflation from April 2026, not April 2029, as planned.

They also called for their MP to back bringing in an initial low-level protected minimum floor in Universal Credit to limit all deductions from social security payments including the benefit cap, to make the government’s new Fair Repayment Rate truly effective. 

Campaigners reiterated that whatever happens, we need Universal Credit to be there for all of us when we need it and urged that their MPs cannot ignore the shockingly high levels of severe hardship in our communities. Crucially, they highlighted the opportunity to create some positive changes, such as the boost, to help people as much as possible. 

Emma Revie, chief executive at Trussell, said: “With more than 700 of us travelling to Westminster, we couldn’t send a more powerful and clear message to our MPs and to the UK government.

“We will not stand by while 9.3 million of us are facing hunger and hardship. People who have experienced severe hardship, people who work in food banks and from community organisations, as well as charity partners, have gathered from all over the UK, to call for a stronger social security system.

“The moment couldn’t be more crucial. Our event comes as we wait to hear whether MPs are going to vote to cut disabled people’s social security by £7 billion.

“It’s time for the UK government to act , and take steps towards creating an Essentials Guarantee to ensure Universal Credit is fit for purpose and protects everyone that needs it.”

Nish Kumar, comedian and Trussell supporter, said: “It’s been incredible to join so many people coming together with one voice to speak out against the rising tide of hunger and hardship in the UK.

“This collective action shows that change is possible when we stand together and call for a future where everyone can afford life’s essentials.

“I’ve seen the incredible work that food banks do to support people facing hardship, but charities cannot and should not bear the brunt of an inadequate social security system that should be there to support us. We live in one of the wealthiest countries in the world, yet millions of people are struggling to make ends meet.

“We know the most important solution to ending the need for food banks – it’s about ensuring people have enough money in their pockets to put food on the table. This is a political choice, and our government has the power to end it.”

Jacob Forman, director at Epping Forest Foodbank, said: “On the same day the UK government formally introduced a new bill in Parliament proposing significant cuts to support for disabled people, I was proud to stand alongside food banks in the Trussell community to demand better. Better for everyone who has been forced to use a food bank, and better for everyone who may be forced to in the future.

We know the UK public supports a future without food banks, and it’s one of the promises that this government was elected on. 

“We have not asked our MPs for the impossible. Instead, we have shared our vast experiences to highlight the actions that can genuinely change the life circumstances of the people we see every day for the better.

“As politicians sit on their benches, I hope our words resonate with them and encourage them push for a stronger social security system that ensures everyone can afford the essentials.”

Trussell Trust lobby, Westminster, London. PRESS IMAGES © Jess Hurd

Jen Coleman, from Black Country Foodbank, a member of the Independent Food Aid Network, said: “Across the whole of the UK, a vast network of charitable food aid providers are united in their calls for the same fundamental changes to our broken social security system.

“Above all, everyone should be able to afford the essentials and a labyrinth of food banks and food pantries shouldn’t be needed to pick up the pieces.”

On 3rd July, MPs will vote on a Bill that could push 440,000 disabled people into severe hardship. There’s still time to contact your MP and urge them to vote against these devastating cuts.

Hundreds of crisp packet stars delivered to MSPs to demand action on recycling

An Edinburgh resident delivered hundreds of handmade stars crafted from empty crisp packets to the Scottish Parliament yesterday [19 June] to demand more action on recycling.

Jenny Kerr, a maths and learning support teacher, made the stars to remind all MSPs that, as the global plastic crisis worsens, Scotland must do more to manage problem plastics like crisp packets. This comes as global negotiations to end plastic pollution as due to be concluded this summer

Jenny has made each of the stars herself. She started making stars out of paper over 40 years ago when a Danish friend taught her how to make the traditional Scandinavian Christmas decoration. Last year, Jenny switched to making the stars out of crisp packets after learning more about plastic waste.

Crisp packets are a type of soft plastic, which is much more difficult and expensive to recycle than other materials. Soft plastics make up over a quarter of post-consumer packaging waste in the UK, but only 7% is recycled.

In August 2025, international negotiations will take place on the final version of a Global Plastics Treaty to end plastic pollution. Plastic contributes to climate breakdown, it harmful to human health and damages wildlife.

Without a treaty, the harms of plastics will escalate, as plastic production is expected to double by 2040.

The UK is part of the high ambition coalition, a group of over 100 countries fighting for a strong treaty. Last year, the First Minister, John Swinney MSP, stated that the Scottish Government fully supported the Global Plastics Treaty.

However, measures required to end Scotland’s dependency on plastics, such as investment in reuse and banning the burning of plastic waste, have not be acted on by the Scottish Government.

Jenny said: “Since embarking on a project to raise money for a local charity by making 1000 stars out of crisp packets this year, I have been almost overwhelmed by donations of empty packets from friends and colleagues, keen to find a use for this waste material.

“People have been shocked to learn that, despite claims by the manufacturers on the packets, crisp packets are not currently recyclable in Scotland.

“We have an addiction to the convenience of these snacks, and the waste must be dealt with. I hope these stars will encourage our MSPs to consider this serious global issue, ahead of international discussions to finalise a Global Plastics Treaty in August, and prioritise taking action in Scotland.”

Kim Pratt, Senior Circular Economy Campaigner at Friends of the Earth Scotland said: “Companies are choosing to sell products like crisps in non-recyclable plastic. This cheap packaging boosts corporate profits but it’s terrible for the planet. Very little plastic packaging is ever recycled.

“The best way of dealing with soft plastics is not to make them in the first place. This approach requires meaningful government commitment to a future with less plastic. We urgently need these companies to stop producing so much plastic and find safe and sustainable alternatives where necessary.”

There are no soft plastic recycling facilities in Scotland. In 2023, a soft plastics recycling plant, co-owned by Morrisons and built with £470,000 investment from the Scottish Government, was opened in Fife but was forced to close only a few months later.

This means all the soft plastic rubbish collected in Scotland must be landfilled, burned or exported. Much of it ends up as litter or dumped in the ocean where it breaks down to microplastics.

Scientific studies are increasingly linking microplastics to an array of health impacts including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, auto-immune conditions and neuro-degenerative diseases.

Scottish Ambulance Service: Hot Weather Advice

It’s going to be a hot couple of days, so whilst enjoying the weather, make sure you keep yourself well by:

Staying hydrated

Wearing sun cream and protective clothing

Sticking to the shade during peak heat hours

Check on elderly relatives/neighbours

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde issues sun and warm weather health advice

Members of the public are being encouraged to stay safe in the sun as the current warm weather is expected to continue into this weekend.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) advised people to ensure they are protected from the sun, and to take care when barbecuing to prevent food poisoning.

It also highlighted the importance of getting the right care in the right place if help is needed for a health concern.

Common health conditions during nicer weather can include sunburn, food poisoning, bites and stings.

NHSGGC also highlighted the importance of keeping items like over-the-counter medicines, a first aid kit and an ice pack at home to help manage minor cuts, bruises, sprains and strains.

NHSGGC is asking people to consider the following:

Sunburn and sunstroke – Always cover up in the sun to protect yourself and your family from burns and heat exhaustion. This includes wearing a high-factor sunscreen and appropriate clothing and spending time in the shade.
Food poisoning – Barbecuing can lead to food poisoning if it is not done correctly. Ensure meat is cooked thoroughly and evenly, and keep cooked and raw food separate.
Medicines – Make sure you have over-the-counter medicines at home for common illnesses including paracetamol or ibuprofen, remedies for bites and stings and antihistamines for allergies.
First aid – Keep a first aid kit in your home with plasters, bandages and antiseptic wipes for cuts, and an ice pack for minor strains or sprains.

For those requiring support or medical treatment for non-life-threatening conditions, there is a range of services available to help, and NHSGGC continues to ask people to ‘think ABC’ before attending A&E:

Ask yourself: Do I need to go out? For information on keeping yourself well and treating minor illnesses and injuries from home, visit the NHS Inform website or download the NHS24 app.

Be aware: There is help for many conditions right on your doorstep. Your local GP, pharmacy, dentist or optician offer a range of services. This could include directing you to a Minor Injuries Unit or arranging an appointment for you with NHSGGC’s Virtual A&E Flow Navigation Centre.

Call 111: If it’s urgent, or you’re not sure, call NHS24 on 111. They’ll make sure you get the help you need.

If you think your condition or injury is very urgent or life-threatening, you should call 999 or go to A&E immediately.

For more information on accessing the care you need, please go to: Right Care, Right Place – NHSGGC.

Dr Emilia Crighton, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Director of Public Health, said: “This is a great time to get outside and enjoy warmer weather and longer days with friends and family.

“Please enjoy the good weather safely by covering up when in the sun, staying hydrated and making sure food is properly cooked if barbecued”.

“For those who do require support over this period, we want people to be aware that there are many services available to them other than emergency departments.

“By using NHS 24’s digital resources and through 111, people who need care can be seen by the most appropriate staff in the most appropriate setting.

“We ask everyone to think ABC before A&E. This will ensure you get the right care in the right place, will help reduce waiting times, and free up capacity for those who need it most.”

Disability Equality Plan published

£2.5 million investment to drive change across Scotland

A Disability Equality Plan launched today, backed by £2.5 million investment, will improve the lives of disabled people across Scotland and put their experiences and concerns at the heart of policymaking.

The funding, an increase of £2 million, recognises the significant challenges and barriers disabled people continue to face.

The plan reflects a government-wide commitment to ensure that the voices and experiences of disabled people are considered from the beginning.

Key actions include:

improved mental health support tailored to disabled people
expanded access to advice and support services
training for policymakers and leaders to build understanding of the issues facing disabled people
an annual Cabinet Takeover, giving disabled people a direct platform to speak to Ministers

Equalities Minister Kaukab Stewart said: “Disabled people are facing unprecedented hardship, deepening poverty and increasing social isolation. Years of austerity, the cost of living crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic have not helped and services need to be equipped to respond to these challenges.

“I am firmly opposed to the UK Government’s proposed reforms to social security and deeply concerned about the effects they will have on disabled people, people with long-term health conditions and unpaid carers.

“The UK Government’s own analysis estimates these will push a further 250,000 people across the UK, including 50,000 children, into poverty.

“We will not mirror these changes. We are committed to safeguarding our Adult Disability Payment and upholding the dignity and rights of disabled people.

“Our approach is rooted in dignity, fairness and respect – not austerity- and the UK Government should follow our lead and protect the social security safety system, rather than dismantling it.

“Scotland is showing that a better way is possible. The increased funding for the plan I am announcing today will build on our human rights-based approach to strengthen vital support and services for disabled people.

“I want to thank all the organisations that have worked tirelessly to help shape this plan. Their insight and leadership have laid the foundation for lasting change.

We are committed to working with disabled people and their organisations, upholding the principle of ‘nothing about us, without us’. I am confident that Scotland can become a country where disabled people truly thrive.”

Chief Executive Officer of Glasgow Disability Alliance Tressa Burke said: “This funding from the Scottish Government is a win for the collective action of disabled people and our allies.

“We are grateful to everyone who took part in our campaign Disabled People Demand Justice and commend the Scottish Government for responding positively.

“But it is a small step, when we need big leaps; poverty and inequality experienced by disabled people remain at unacceptable levels, and we need both the Scottish Government and the UK Government to urgently invest in disabled peoples’ lives to deliver dignity and justice.”

Chief Executive Officer of Inclusion Scotland Heather Fisken said: “This plan and related actions are a welcome step forward, but these will only be successful if it is properly resourced and if it there is accountability of delivery.

“We want this accountability to be led by disabled peoples’ organisations and disabled people themselves – genuine partnership between our organisations and the Scottish Government requires honesty and scrutiny, and that will be our focus going forward.”

Chief Executive Officer of Disability Equality Scotland Lyn Pornaro said: “This shows the power of disabled peoples’ campaigning, and is a step in the right direction, but our campaigning work to deliver justice for disabled people will continue.

“This includes making sure that both the Scottish Government and the UK Government deliver dignity, security, and human rights for disabled people – that requires investing in our communities and including services- not cutting the support we rely on.”

Disability Equality Plan – gov.scot