Democratic participation fund for disabled people

New funding of £200k to tackle under-representation of disabled people in politics.
New funding of £200,000 to help disabled people participate in politics and stand as local councillors was announced today.

The money will help to cover additional costs for accessible transport or communications support for disabled people who wish to stand for selection or election in the 2017 local government elections.

Disabled people are significantly under-represented as local councillors and the fund will back up the wide ranging support to increase their representation.

Minister for Local Government and Community Empowerment Marco Biagi said:

“The Scottish Government is dedicated to ensuring more people from under-represented groups are treated equally and fairly at all levels. It is vital for society that all our groups are represented in politics and elected offices at all levels. We know disabled people often find it difficult to access elected offices due to the many barriers that exist and the additional cost of being disabled is one of them.

“I am delighted to announce this funding, which comes as a direct response to one of the key demands from disabled people’s campaign organisations, who all highlight that funding is a major barrier for disabled people to even consider accessing politics.

“The democratic participation fund for disabled people contributes towards our broader ambition to encourage more people from under-represented groups to stand for elected office so our local councils become more reflective of the communities they serve.”

The project will be run by Inclusion Scotland on a pilot basis until May 2017,Chief Executive Officer Sally Witcher said:

“As an organisation led by disabled people themselves, working towards the full and equal participation of disabled people in Scottish public life is a key part of Inclusion Scotland’s mission. This new Fund has the potential to make a real difference, not just to individual disabled people, but ultimately to the strengthening of Scottish democracy. Participation in public and political life is everyone’s human right and there is much work to do to ensure that this right can be fully exercised by disabled people. We are delighted to have been charged with the role of administering such an important scheme.”

Jamie Szymkowiak, founder of disability campaign group One in Five, said:

"The creation of the democratic participation fund for disabled people by the Scottish Government is magnificent news. The fund will certainly help smash the financial barriers disabled people face accessing politics - such as additional transport needs, sign language interpreters or extra travel costs if you have a carer. The One in Five campaign is delighted that this early announcement provides disabled people, across the political spectrum, plenty of time to consider standing for selection in the 2017 Local Government elections. The Fund, together with the redefinition of candidates' personal expenses and the Access to Politics Project, provides the best opportunity for Scotland to address the under representation of disabled people in politics."

Free Bus Travel Deal Welcomed

SNP MSP Marco Biagi is today welcoming the news that a deal has been sealed between the Scottish Government and bus operators that will allow the continuation of secured free bus travel for over 60’s and people with disabilities.

Scottish Government negotiations have concluded and the terms agreed include an immediate £10 million cash injection through the Bus Service Operators Grant to provide transitional support for bus operators in the current difficult financial environment.

Marco Biagi, SNP MSP for Edinburgh Central, said:

“Against a tough economic backdrop of Westminster cuts this deal, which secures the future of the national concessionary bus travel scheme, is great news.

“Securing the future of the national scheme, to help the over 60s and those with disabilities, was a key priority for the SNP. In contrast, Labour has said ‘nothing is off the table’ from their cuts commission which threatens these valuable policies.

“Labour and Johann Lamont’s Cuts Commission – hailed by the Tory Party in Wales – have threatened to axe this benefit which is so valued by Scotland’s older people, disabled and veteran communities.

“Our track record in funding bus travel speaks for itself. We are providing £250 million annually to support a range of schemes and fully intend to allocate this year's budget, as agreed by the Scottish Parliament and following consultation with the bus sector, in full.

“This decisive action in to ensure operators are supported fairly in a tough economic climate helps people get around and helps businesses deliver a service we can be proud of. The situation is challenging, but we are confident this new deal will provide enough respite and some much-needed stability.”