Tag: Equalities Minister Kaukab Stewart

Minister condemns ‘devastating’ UK migration proposals

UK Government urged to work with Scottish Government on plans

The Equalities Minister Kaukab Stewart has urged the UK Government to rethink its immigration white paper to take account of Scotland’s distinct population needs.

Following publication of new proposals from the Home Office on immigration, the Scottish Government has called on the UK Government to take account of its own proposals on immigration.

The Minister said the UK Government must engage the Scottish Government on its immigration policy, reflecting that migration enriches Scotland’s communities, supports economic growth and addresses population challenges.

Equalities Minister Kaukab Stewart said: “The UK Government’s plans on migration stand in stark contrast to our values and they do not reflect Scotland’s distinct population needs.

“The Scottish Government is proud to welcome and support people from around the world to live, work and build their lives in Scotland. Not only does migration enrich our communities and culture, it is vital for economic growth, public services like the NHS and addressing our population challenges.  

“Scotland needs talented and committed people from across the world to live, work and study here without excessive barriers.

“A one-size fits all approach to immigration fails to meet the needs of Scotland and much of the UK. In particular, any plans to end international recruitment of care workers will be devastating for the care sector in Scotland and across the UK.

“We are deeply disappointed that the UK Government’s white paper on immigration fails to take on board our proposals to help meet Scotland’s distinct demographic and economic requirements.

“I call on the Home Secretary to urgently work with us to deliver an immigration system which is reflective of Scotland’s needs, and avoids the harm to our economy, communities, and public services which the policy decisions in the white paper will lead to.

“If it does not, then it becomes ever clearer that Scotland needs full powers over immigration. Independence would give Scotland control over migration policy and provide an opportunity to introduce a new, welcoming immigration system that supports our economy and public services.”

In March, the Scottish Government provided a set of policy proposals to the Home Office during development of its white paper on immigration.

The Scottish Government will shortly publish these proposals online and will write to the UK Government this week to call for meaningful discussions.

To date, there has been no substantive engagement from the Home Office on any of the policy proposals contributed by the Scottish Government during the development of the White Paper.

Holyrood Minister attends Global Disability Summit in Berlin

Highlighting Scotland’s leading role at home and abroad

At the Global Disability Summit in Berlin today, Equalities Minister Kaukab Stewart will highlight Scotland’s commitment that by 2030 at least half of Scotland’s international development funding will include a disability equality objective.

This will ensure that disabled people have improved access to programmes in Scotland’s partner countries Malawi and Zambia – for instance giving disabled women and girls access to quality education.

The Equalities Minister will also take part in events focusing on disability equality and inclusion as well as meet with relevant Ministers and interest groups.

Ms Stewart said: “Scotland has a growing reputation at home and abroad for the action it’s taking to reduce the barriers disabled people face.

“This is the first time Scotland has been invited in its own right to the Global Disability Summit and this is an excellent opportunity for us to showcase our culture of equality, particularly our focus on giving disabled people a voice in the decisions that affect them.

“Our work with our partner countries in Malawi and Zambia will be shared at the World Bank roundtable on inclusiveness in education. We will also highlight how Scotland is ensuring that marginalised groups, including disabled people, are at the heart of international climate action.

“However, I’m concerned that while the international picture is improving, the UK Government is going ahead with taking away disabled people’s benefits to balance the budget and plans to further reduce aid spending. We will continue to press them to reverse these damaging cuts.”

Global Disability Summit – 2nd – 3rd April, 2025 / Berlin

Minister backs Sight Scotland’s push to break down accessibility barriers in Scottish venues

Equalities Minister Kaukab Stewart recently met with Sight Scotland’s Policy Group to discuss the importance of improving access and inclusion in Scotland’s venues. She stressed that everyone should have the freedom to enjoy life and visit places of their choice, such as theatres, cinemas, concert halls, galleries and attractions, without facing accessibility barriers.

Sight Scotland’s Policy Group, made up of blind and partially sighted members, released the ‘Enhancing Accessibility: Venues and Visual Impairment’ report last year. It highlights major accessibility issues in Scottish venues and calls for improvements to ensure equal access for all.

Using real experiences, the report identifies common barriers, including poor communication, inaccessible booking systems, lack of audio descriptions or touch tours, untrained staff, and design flaws like low colour contrast, missing tactile elements, and unclear signage. It also shares best practices to inspire venues to improve accessibility for visually impaired visitors.

Equalities Minister Kaukab Stewart said: “I was delighted to discuss what actions we can take to strengthen accessibility standards for visual impairment with members of the Sight Scotland team and their policy group.

“Although it’s clear that many barriers remain, I was inspired to hear how blind and partially sighted people are working closely with Sight Scotland and range of other partners to deliver best practice building on the Accessible Venues Campaign and Report.

“Across government we’re working to embed equality and inclusion across all areas of life, including the arts and culture. One way we’re doing this is through All In – a new access scheme for creative and culture in the UK and Ireland.

“It’s being developed as a partnership between Creative Scotland and the arts councils of England, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Wales to improve access and remove barriers for deaf, disabled, neurodivergent and visually impaired people in creative and culture spaces.

“Although our power to legislate on equality is limited, we’re working to drive positive change for disabled people in Scotland including investing an additional £2 million to enhance our Disability Equality Plan.”

Sight Scotland Policy Group member, Amanda Whitfield, from Edinburgh, who was diagnosed with Stargardt disease in 2016, comments: “It was wonderful to welcome the Equalities Minister to our policy group and discuss with her the accessibility challenges that blind and partially sighted people face when trying to access venues.

“I absolutely love music and going to concerts, but booking tickets feels like an impossible task. Sight loss is an invisible disability, and it often feels like I’m being excluded from enjoying live music like everyone else.

“Everything is done online or digitally – from booking your ticket to even ordering drinks on the night. You can’t just speak to someone and explain your needs.

“Instead, you’re stuck in long virtual queues, forced to choose a seat from a visual plan, and often left to struggle with inaccessible websites that don’t support zooming or screen readers.

“It’s frustrating, disheartening, and it shouldn’t be this hard for people with vision impairment to enjoy live events.”

Craig Spalding, Chief Executive of Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans, said: “We’re grateful to the Minister for meeting with our Policy Group and helping to highlight the daily accessibility challenges faced by people with vision impairment.

“Inaccessible venues exclude those with sight loss from arts and cultural events, increasing isolation and loneliness.

“Our Accessible Venues Report outlines key issues and calls for improvements such as a standardised booking system for accessible seats, audio descriptions, touch tours for all performances, and mandatory visual impairment awareness and sighted guide training for staff.

“Small changes can make a big difference to inclusivity.”

Download the Enhancing Accessibility: Venues and Visual Impairment report here: 

https://sightscotland.org.uk/accessible-venues#AccessibleVenuesReportDownload  

More young people helped to spot signs of abuse

Engagement to tackle gendered violence highlighted at start of 16 Days

More than 27,000 young people have benefited from education and awareness-raising sessions on tackling gender-based violence over six months, thanks to 45 grassroots organisations across Scotland.

The latest Delivering Equally Safe impact report, published by Inspiring Scotland, shows that the number of young people accessing sessions on issues including consent and gender equality through these organisations is increasing. The report also includes data on the number of people who have received frontline support, and the type of support provided.

The report publication comes as the global 16 Days of Activism campaign gets underway. To mark the start of the campaign, Equalities Minister Kaukab Stewart visited Monklands Women’s Aid in Airdrie to hear about their vital work to support women, children and young people.

Ms Stewart said: “Preventing violence against women and girls is key to creating a society where women and girls can live safely. I am proud to be supporting the 16 Days of Activism campaign to tackle and prevent violence against women and girls.  

“Thanks to organisations supported by our Delivering Equally Safe fund, workshops supporting young people to understand consent, healthy relationships and the signs of abusive behaviour have reached more than 27,000 young people.

“In the two years since Delivering Equally Safe started, nearly 17,000 children and young people have engaged in frontline funded support.

“Among the organisations providing frontline support is Monklands Women’s Aid, whose work to address both traditional and emerging forms of violence against women and girls is vital and innovative.”

Monklands Women’s Aid Chairperson, Christine Buckel said: “Grassroots organisations like Monkland’s Women’s Aid are the backbone of community support for those facing the trauma of domestic abuse.

“Our integrated approach ensures women, children, and young people receive tailored support when they need it most. Most importantly, we listen to and respond to those we serve, ensuring that their voices shape the services that make a real difference in their lives.

“The Delivering Equally Safe programme fund provides vital funding that enabled the organisation to deliver frontline domestic abuse interventions to 1,571 people since October 2021.”

Delivering Equally Safe impact report