Scottish Parliament, 2 December 2025
46 contributions from 24 members. The official report.
Commonwealth Games (Glasgow 2026)
Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)
The next item of business is a statement by Neil Gray on the Commonwealth games in Glasgow in 2026. The cabinet secretary will take questions at the end of his statement, so there should be no interventions or interruptions.
Neil Gray (Scottish National Party, Airdrie and Shotts)
I am delighted to be here this afternoon to address the chamber ahead of the Commonwealth games next year. Today marks 233 days until the opening ceremony of the 2026 Commonwealth games in Glasgow—that is only eight months away—and just over a year since Scotland agreed to take on the event at short notice, safeguarding the future of the Commonwealth games. Today, I will reflect on how the games came back to Scotland and how we have secured their future, and I will confirm how we will support the success of the games in Glasgow.
Many colleagues across the chamber will remember fondly the huge success of the 2014 games—I do. In 2014, we had years to prepare. This time, everything has happened at lightning speed. This will be the fourth time that Scotland has hosted the games, and I thank the organising company, Commonwealth Games Scotland and Glasgow City Council for their tireless work in bringing Glasgow 2026 to life at such short notice. We have been able to do that because Scotland, and Glasgow in particular, has such a strong track record of successful event delivery, including being the first to host newly modelled events such as the European championships in 2018 and, more recently, the cycling world championships in 2023.
However, this is not just about the Glasgow 2026 games. By stepping up now, Scotland is helping to secure the future of the Commonwealth games for decades to come. Our new reimagined approach makes hosting more affordable and sustainable, opening the door for more nations to be able to take part in the future. Last week, I had the pleasure of hosting representatives from across the Commonwealth during their general assembly, when the 2030 host was announced as Ahmedabad in India. This is about partnership and continuity, and it is about ensuring that the games continue to inspire athletes and communities across the Commonwealth.
The passing of the games baton from Glasgow to Ahmedabad is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate that connection and take advantage of the opportunities for both countries. I spoke with colleagues from India about how Scotland can support a successful centenary games, and I was keen to share our extensive experience of hosting major international events. That is the legacy of Glasgow 2026—it is not just about a world-class event here at home; it is about a future for the games that every nation can share.
At home, the benefits for Scotland are clear—economic opportunities for businesses, upgrades to venues and an opportunity for local communities to come together and celebrate. Indeed, the games are expected to bring more than £150 million of economic benefit to Glasgow and Scotland, supporting local businesses and jobs. Public support is strong, too. I am delighted to see the huge demand for tickets, not just here in Scotland but across the Commonwealth—people are supporting the games.
I am also pleased with the progress that has been made this year on our venues. The first phase of work at Scotstoun’s track is now complete, and Tollcross swimming pool is undergoing important upgrades to meet the highest standards for athletes and spectators. Those improvements will not only support the success of the games but leave a lasting legacy for local communities, providing world-class facilities for years to come.
Commonwealth Sport’s co-ordination commission has recognised the progress that has been made at such pace. In August, I was hugely encouraged by the feedback that was received from Commonwealth Sport, which praised the organising company for demonstrating “innovation at its ... best” and commended the preparations progressing at pace. I am pleased to see the proactive engagement that has been undertaken by Glasgow 2026 Ltd, which is working closely with local community groups, the third sector and public and private sector partners to ensure that the benefits of the games are felt by communities in the city. That approach to collaboration is vital to ensuring a lasting impact and successful games.
I know that I do not need to remind colleagues of the immense national pride that each of us felt when the Scotland men’s football team qualified for the world cup just a few weeks ago. As I said in response to an urgent question on that, I am determined that we catalyse the same sense of hope, opportunity and support for our nation’s athletes with the Commonwealth games as we do with the world cup next summer. Our focus on team Scotland remains at the heart of the games. We know that our athletes have the games marked in their calendar and are ready to do us proud.
The Commonwealth games give Scottish athletes the chance to compete under their own flag—a tradition that we are proud to continue. Glasgow 2014 was a springboard for success, with 25 of the 34 Scots on team GB at the Paris Olympics having competed for team Scotland at the Commonwealth games, including six of nine medallists.
I am thrilled to see Duncan Scott return to the pool where his Commonwealth journey began in 2014 and to welcome rising stars such as Megan Keith in the 10,000m, joining established legends such as Jake Wightman, Neil Gourley and potentially Josh Kerr in the historic Commonwealth mile, which will make its first appearance since 1966. That shows the vital role that the games play in developing talent and giving athletes the experience that they need to succeed on the world stage.
Glasgow 2026 will host the most inclusive programme ever, and it will make history as medals for para powerlifting will be the first to be awarded, which is a first for any Commonwealth games.
It is not only athletes and their supporters who will get hands-on experience at the games. The games volunteer programme recently closed, exceeding expectations with thousands of people applying. I was pleased to see that the minimum age to volunteer was lowered in order to give our young people an opportunity to be part of the programme.
As exciting as those 11 days of world-class sport will be, the Commonwealth games are about so much more. We are determined to deliver a meaningful legacy that reaches beyond the competition itself, even with a streamlined games. That legacy will focus on creating lasting benefits for communities, inspiring participation and strengthening connections across Scotland and the wider Commonwealth.
Alongside that, the King’s baton relay has been reimagined for these games. We are really looking forward to welcoming the batons back to Scotland in July 2026, and we are planning our own programme of activity, working with partners across Scotland and inviting our communities, local businesses, athletes and artists to join in.
All 74 Commonwealth nations, including Scotland, will receive their own baton and have the opportunity to decorate it themselves to reflect their culture and creativity. All the batons will be present at the opening ceremony, and as they converge in Glasgow they will carry with them a message of hope and friendship.
Welcoming thousands of visitors to Scotland gives Glasgow another chance to shine and showcase the very best that we have to offer, and the Scottish Government is committed to maximising every social, cultural and economic opportunity.
That is why I am delighted to announce today that, working with our partners, the Scottish Government will provide £150,000 to create and run Scotland house during games time. It will be a welcoming hub for athletes and their families to use and a platform to celebrate Scotland’s sporting, cultural and economic strengths. Located at the Corinthian in the centre of the city, Scotland house will host an ambitious programme of events, from sport to creative industries. It will be open throughout the games to showcase the best of Scotland.
A series of targeted events is planned to showcase Scotland and Glasgow’s strengths and expertise across a range of sectors. Scotland house will serve as the central hub for business engagement during the games and offer a platform to facilitate trade and investment opportunities by hosting networking events, business forums and sector-specific showcases. It will also promote Scottish sectors such as renewable energy, fintech, tourism and food and drink. Those events aim to attract national and international leaders and forge connections that will benefit our economy long after the games. Scotland house will demonstrate our ambition, creativity and commitment to building lasting partnerships. By bringing together sport, culture and business under one roof, we will ensure that Glasgow 2026 delivers benefits that extend far beyond the games themselves.
Glasgow 2026 is about more than hosting a world-class sporting event; it is about supporting team Scotland, strengthening international partnerships and creating a lasting legacy for communities across our country. It will be an incredible summer of sport in Scotland. We have eight months to help build momentum and eight months with Finnie the unicorn, the games mascot, who will pop up across Scotland to bring colour and excitement to communities. It is eight months until thousands of spectators descend on Glasgow to fill our shops, support our local businesses and celebrate our great city. It is eight months until our athletes take their first step, leap, jump and dive into what I am sure will be Scotland’s best performance yet.
When Scotland stepped up to safeguard these games, we set a new course for the future. Now, we take the next step in showcasing our nation to the world. I hope that the whole Parliament will join me today in wishing our Scottish athletes the very best in their preparations and letting them know that we stand ready to cheer them on as we make the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth games another one to remember.
Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)
The cabinet secretary will now take questions on the issues that were raised in his statement. I intend to allow around 20 minutes for questions, after which we will move on to the next item of business. I would be grateful if members who wish to put a question could press their request-to-speak buttons now.
Sandesh Gulhane (Conservative, Glasgow)
As a proud Glaswegian, I look forward to welcoming all the world-class athletes who will be competing in the games and all the visitors. Furthermore, I would like to welcome the sun, which will, no doubt, be shining for the full 11 days of the Commonwealth games.
I have no doubt that the international athletes will have a seamless experience in the pool and on the track, because the Commonwealth Games Federation will be organising that. My concern is about everything that Glasgow City Council, which is led by the Scottish National Party, is in charge of. [ Interruption .] Volunteers, spectators and the local community all need to have the same seamless experience of our great city. Clearly, SNP members do not agree with that.
Business leaders are telling me that Glasgow City Council is woefully underprepared and has not progressed work as expected. Our city centre is choked with roadworks, making it virtually impossible to get in and out of the city centre, and there is rubbish everywhere, with rats that are big enough to compete at the games.
The cabinet secretary said that £150,000 will be given to run Scotland house, which will be located in the Corinthian. For those who do not know Glasgow, that is about 50 yards away from the iconic George Square, which is currently closed for construction work. The greatest example of farce by Glasgow City Council is that it will not accelerate the works in order for George Square to be open for the games. That would literally involve accelerating the programme by a few weeks. Will the Scottish Government commit to ensuring that George Square will be open by providing the required resources? Does the cabinet secretary agree that the only traffic cone that spectators should see should be the one on the Duke of Wellington’s head?
Neil Gray (Scottish National Party, Airdrie and Shotts)
No—because there is also a cone on the head of Finnie, the mascot, who is on the badge that I am proudly wearing.
I will answer Sandesh Gulhane’s points, because they are serious ones, but I hope that, as a Parliament, we can also get into the spirit of what we are seeking to achieve next summer in Scotland. There will be the football world cup, which Scotland’s men’s team has just qualified for, and the Commonwealth games will come to Scotland. The games were literally saved by Glasgow stepping in in the way that only Scotland could. At the Commonwealth Sport general assembly event that I held last week, Maree Todd and I were approached by a number of delegates who told us that there had been no plan B—no other alternative—so, if Glasgow had not stepped in, there would have been no Commonwealth games. We must recognise and celebrate that.
We should also recognise the work that is being done by Glasgow City Council. The work at George Square has been some years in planning, and it is for the council to work through delivery in that regard. From my discussions with the likes of the Commonwealth Sport president, Donald Rukare, I am confident that, regardless of whether the work at George Square has been completed, given the facilities that people have seen and the engagement with the organising company—it, not the federation, is responsible for the delivery of the games—they are confident of Glasgow’s success, including its onward success in relation to the Commonwealth games to come.
I promised Donald Rukare that, by the summer, the weather would be better than it was last week, when he arrived, but, unfortunately, I do not have complete control over that.
Neil Bibby (Labour, West Scotland)
I thank the cabinet secretary for advance sight of his statement.
Scottish Labour fully supports the Commonwealth games in Glasgow in 2026. That is why we encouraged the Scottish Government to step in and bid for the games.
I agree that the games provide us with fantastic opportunities, and we cannot afford to miss them, so I will focus on some of the issues that were omitted from the cabinet secretary’s statement. Given that there could be a £150 million boost to the city’s regional economy, what does the Government intend to do to support businesses, particularly those in hospitality, to make the most of the games? Given that we are expecting thousands of visitors, what additional public transport will be provided in the city and from the airport to assist spectators?
In 2021, the SNP promised to double the sports budget to £100 million a year, but that budget stands at less than £50 million today. Sports governing bodies tell me that they are running on empty, so will that SNP manifesto promise be delivered before the games?
Neil Gray (Scottish National Party, Airdrie and Shotts)
In relation to business engagement and what can be done to maximise the business opportunities from the summer of sport, it is important that we recognise that the lead-in to the Commonwealth games will be dominated by the success of Scotland’s men’s team at the football world cup. There will be significant business opportunities, particularly for hospitality businesses, as we touched on during the urgent question the other week. We are engaging with businesses on what we can do to maximise the opportunities from the world cup and the Commonwealth games.
In my statement, I touched on the investment that we are making with partners through business engagement via Scotland house, which is a huge opportunity for those Glasgow-based businesses that export and have links with Gujarat or wider Indian business networks to ensure that those trade links are strong, and I am very much looking forward to that on-going success.
What the public transport regime is going to look like is for the organising company to decide. We are engaging with that company on what plans they have in place.
I look forward to the discussions on the sport budget and Labour’s asks that we will have in the build-up to the budget. We are looking to make sure that we can continue to invest in sport to realise the preventative benefit of participation, but also to support team Scotland as it prepares for major events such as the Commonwealth games and other events like it.
Stuart McMillan (Scottish National Party, Greenock and Inverclyde)
After Scotland, the next host of the Commonwealth games will be India. Can the cabinet secretary say a little bit about the opportunity to build economic and cultural links with India and how the Scottish Government is working to enhance that relationship?
Neil Gray (Scottish National Party, Airdrie and Shotts)
That is an important aspect. We recognise that the delivery of the games is fundamentally important, as they are a major sporting event that can showcase the best of Scotland and Scottish sport, as well as international athletes who are coming and the links that we can have with other countries. I extend publicly my congratulations to Ahmedabad in Gujarat in India on being recommended as hosts for the 2030 Commonwealth games. I was able to do that in person with the Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, Harsh Sanghavi, when he led the Indian delegation that was visiting the General Assembly.
The Scottish Government is very much looking forward to continuing with collaboration and further strengthening bilateral relations, and I was pleased to have the opportunity to say so during the discussions that we had on the fringes of the General Assembly.
I recognise from a previous visit that Scottish Development International has a strong presence in India. The Indian delegation, including Mr Sanghavi, and the consulate in Edinburgh are keen to maximise the opportunity to build and grow our deepening relationship with India in general, and Gujarat in particular, by using those links. The announcement that was made today about Scotland house for the games will be an opportunity to facilitate that.
Brian Whittle (Conservative, South Scotland)
The cabinet secretary rightly spoke about the opportunity that the Commonwealth games bring to Glasgow and Scotland. The legacy of the games, however scaled down, must include a committed effort to support Scottish sport. However, we have Glasgow school of sport closing down, and sports facilities such as the national hockey centre are in really poor condition, with players being unable to access changing rooms, and we have organisations representing more than 30 different sports across Scotland writing to the Scottish Government to say that funding is now critically low. All the while, the First Minister stands in the chamber refusing to repeat his manifesto commitment to double sports funding. How does the cabinet secretary propose that the games will deliver a meaningful legacy when funding cuts by his Government have left so much of Scottish sport finding it harder and harder to stay afloat?
Neil Gray (Scottish National Party, Airdrie and Shotts)
There are a couple of points to respond to, and the first is the point about the scaled-down games. They were scaled down so that we can work with Commonwealth Sport on reimagining what the Commonwealth games can be and to encourage others to bid to hold them. The fact that Nigeria was in the running and that, for the first time, there was the prospect of an African nation being able to host the Commonwealth games is a legacy of Glasgow that we hope can be sustained towards 2034. We hope that we will see more nations being able to bid to hold the games.
The reimagining is not necessarily through choice or because we want the games to be smaller, but in order to ensure their sustainability into the future. We are all aware of why we are hosting in 2026 and why others have had to step in in the past.
The opportunity to enhance sport is absolutely at the heart of what I will be looking to do alongside the minister for sport, Maree Todd. Through the budget process, we will be looking to ensure that we can support team Scotland going into the games. The issues that Mr Whittle has raised have been raised with us at meetings with sports governing bodies, and we will give them serious attention during the budget process.
George Adam (Scottish National Party, Paisley)
I remember when Mr Whittle was a sporting hero, running the anchor leg for Scotland in the 1990 Commonwealth games and winning silver for his nation. I watched that when I was a wee boy—[Laughter.]
I watched it on television with my family—that is the important part, because there is growing concern about the availability of free-to-air coverage, which allows us to have those moments with our families around the television. Can the cabinet secretary say any more about any engagement with the BBC; the Minister of State for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Ian Murray; or the Secretary of State for Scotland, Douglas Alexander, to ensure that everyone can support our athletes and have those TV moments?
Neil Gray (Scottish National Party, Airdrie and Shotts)
Mr Whittle was someone I looked up to when I was a 400m runner—and I can say with a straight face that I genuinely was a wee boy in 1990: I was four years old.
The point that George Adam makes is a serious one. It is hard for people to be inspired when they cannot see inspiring performances. That is why broadcasting will play a vital role in sharing the excitement of the games, bringing every moment of sporting excellence into homes across the Commonwealth. I am aware that Commonwealth Sport and Glasgow 2026 Ltd—the organising company—is still in the process of agreeing a domestic United Kingdom rights holder for broadcasting.
Last week I met the president of Commonwealth Sport, Donald Rukare, to reiterate the importance of showing the Commonwealth games on free-to-air television. I and my colleague Angus Robertson have written to UK ministers to encourage a resolution, and I will continue to press them for that. Negotiations are on-going, but it would be a significant missed opportunity for people here in Scotland and across the UK, and for the BBC, were it not to step up and be the domestic broadcaster for the games.
Paul Sweeney (Labour, Glasgow)
I volunteered as a member of the medal ceremonies team for 2014. It was a fantastic experience, and the city was buzzing. The opportunity to recapture that feeling next year is really exciting. As someone who called for Glasgow to host the games as early as July 2023, when Australia pulled out, I am pleased that the Scottish Government eventually got behind the idea.
The key item that has been announced today is the £150,000 funding for Scotland house, which is a great idea. The Corinthian is a fantastic venue, and a very successful one, but I was curious about why it was chosen when there are other venues in Glasgow city centre, such as the Centre for Contemporary Arts, which is a charitable organisation that has been through difficulties recently and could perhaps have benefited more from that investment. Perhaps it is worth considering what could be done to support charities in that respect.
Last month, Phil Batty, the chief executive officer of Glasgow 2026, told me that the transport issue is still a big problem and raised the issue of what was done in 2014 on concessionary travel for ticket holders and people with accreditation. The Government does not seem keen to support that approach again, but could it be looked at? That would be an important incentive for people to use public transport for the games next year.
Neil Gray (Scottish National Party, Airdrie and Shotts)
We went through extensive searches for potential venues, and the Corinthian was viewed to be the best according to the criteria that were set out at various levels. I am sure that Mr Sweeney will understand the issues of suitability, not just concerning the space available, the scale of the activity concerned and the background that Mr Sweeney pointed out regarding that particular venue, but in relation to security and other implications that we need to be mindful of.
I have already responded to Mr Bibby that transport is ultimately the responsibility of the organising company. However, we are in regular dialogue with Transport Scotland, and I know that Mr Batty is, too. Those are areas on which we continue to engage.
Rona Mackay (Scottish National Party, Strathkelvin and Bearsden)
All eyes will be on Glasgow as the games get under way and huge numbers of visitors and athletes are drawn to the city. The cabinet secretary touched on this in his statement, but can he say more about the expected economic impact on Glasgow and how the Scottish Government is working to ensure that the maximum benefit is delivered for local businesses and the regional economy?
Neil Gray (Scottish National Party, Airdrie and Shotts)
The Commonwealth games will bring significant economic opportunities to Glasgow and the wider region, as well as to the whole of Scotland. Major international events of that scale typically generate substantial benefits through increased tourism, hospitality and spending in local businesses. The games are expected to bring more than £150 million of economic benefit to Glasgow and Scotland, supporting local businesses and jobs. We are pleased to support Scotland house in the centre of the city, which will bring together national and international businesses to forge new connections.
There are growing international links between Scotland and India, and they are already very strong in a number of sectors. The UK-India trade deal offers us opportunities in that space. It will be a central part of the Government’s agenda to ensure that the economic opportunities are maximised for Glasgow and Scotland as well as for Gujarat and India.
Patrick Harvie (Green, Glasgow)
I am grateful for the advance copy of the statement, but, like a couple of members, I was a little surprised that the cabinet secretary did not mention some of the transport issues when he mentioned other matters that are also the responsibility of the organising company. He will be aware that, unlike in 2014, there will be a trial in 2026 of free public transport during the games for a limited number of Glasgow residents. How will the Scottish Government work constructively with Glasgow City Council and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport to evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot so that we can properly understand the value of free public transport, not just during big events such as the games but on an on-going basis?
Neil Gray (Scottish National Party, Airdrie and Shotts)
That is an important area. I recognise Patrick Harvie’s point about ensuring that we evaluate the benefit of the pilot, not just for the games but, more widely, in support of free public transport. Through collaboration between the Scottish National Party and the Greens, we have been able to achieve substantial additional free public transport across Scotland.
The situation with regard to the games is slightly different. There are issues about getting to and from locations such as airports and other transport terminals, but the footprint of the games is in a far smaller space within the city of Glasgow. That is not to say that we should not have support for public transport, but the scale will be different. As I said in my answer to Mr Sweeney, we will engage with Transport Scotland and the organising company on those issues to ensure that we provide the best possible experience for residents of Glasgow and visitors next year.
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Liberal Democrat, Edinburgh Western)
During London 2012, I took Humza Yousaf out on a detached youth work shift in Govan. We entered Elder park to find 50 of the most excluded and marginalised young people in Glasgow playing an impromptu game of volleyball. My point is that high-profile sporting events can inspire young lives, but that only matters and can only be capitalised on if we have youth work interventions such as that one. With the erosion of youth work over the past couple of decades, what are the Government’s plans to use some of the revenue that will be brought in by the games, and some of its own resources, to invest in youth work opportunities so that young people can really feel the benefit of the games?
Neil Gray (Scottish National Party, Airdrie and Shotts)
On the economic aspect, I agree with Alex Cole-Hamilton on the need to ensure that we support and facilitate people to be able to enjoy sport. I was the beneficiary of that, growing up in Orkney, with volunteers supporting local football clubs, athletics clubs, rugby clubs, swimming clubs, badminton and octopush. The array of sports that I was able to access as a result of volunteers where I grew up is the reason why I attempted to emulate Mr Whittle’s achievements in the way that I did.
As I said in response to Mr Bibby and Mr Whittle, we can look to the sport budget and ensure that we are providing the best support that we can. I know that Mr Cole-Hamilton will engage constructively in the budget process to ensure that we maximise the opportunity to give people in all parts of the country the same exposure and similar experience that you, Presiding Officer, have helped to support in the past in your work with athletics clubs.
Emma Harper (Scottish National Party, South Scotland)
It is vital that the games are more than a one-off event and that they create a long-term legacy for communities across the country. We all know that sport and physical activity are great for health and wellbeing. Will the cabinet secretary speak to what the Scottish Government is doing to ensure that legacy for Scotland?
Neil Gray (Scottish National Party, Airdrie and Shotts)
I could not agree more with Emma Harper. I mentioned a few examples of that in my statement, and, as I have said, I am pleased that the first phase of work has been completed on Scotstoun stadium to build the new athletics track for the games. That track will be an asset for the city, giving people in Glasgow access to another first-rate international-grade sports facility for years to come.
Glasgow 2026 has held a series of workshops to develop its “story of change” legacy and impact plan, bringing together participants and organisations from across Glasgow and Scotland to discuss how communities can benefit from the games and how Glasgow can celebrate the games and the festival that I expect to be held in the city, surrounding the games. The aim is to create a lasting legacy and impact for Glasgow far beyond the games.
Annie Wells (Conservative, Glasgow)
Every Glaswegian will, of course, be looking forward to welcoming athletes, supporters and visitors from across the world to Glasgow next year, but some Glaswegians will also feel ashamed of and disappointed by the sights that some of those visitors will see. There are rats, needles and overflowing bins on our streets, and I have heard from Glasgow health and social care partnership that rough sleeping is likely to increase during the games, due to a shortage of accommodation. I thank all those who are working hard on the games and on welcoming the volunteers, athletes and visitors to the city, but what can the Scottish Government do to ensure that Glasgow is in a fit state to welcome the world?
Neil Gray (Scottish National Party, Airdrie and Shotts)
I am confident that Glasgow City Council and Glasgow will be in shape to welcome the world. I say that not only from my perspective standing here but because of the engagement that I had with delegates who came from around the world to visit Glasgow as part of the Commonwealth Sport general assembly and were blown away by the facilities, the integration and the work that is being done across Glasgow to prepare for the games. Donald Rukare and the other international delegates and partners from Commonwealth federations were more than pleased with the facilities on offer and were delighted to see Glasgow stepping in to save the games.
Marie McNair (Scottish National Party, Clydebank and Milngavie)
Glasgow has built a track record of hosting successful events and has become a world-class hosting destination with the necessary facilities and expertise for delivery, and we must celebrate this opportunity to host the games. The cabinet secretary touched on that in his statement, but will he expand on the importance to Scotland’s international reputation of Glasgow’s developing position as a global sports hub?
Neil Gray (Scottish National Party, Airdrie and Shotts)
Glasgow has a significant reputation for hosting major sporting events. We have had the world indoor athletics championships, the world cycling championships, the European championships and the previous Commonwealth games, all of which have put Scotland at the very top of the international major events landscape. We should be incredibly proud of that.
We have collaborated with international partners, including Australia, which has provided funding to support the delivery of the games. I am very grateful for that and was able to pass that on to the Australian representatives at the general assembly. Glasgow has been able to step in in a way that other cities might not have been able to, precisely because of that reputation and the infrastructure that we have in place, and we should be incredibly proud of that fact.
We now have more than 3,000 volunteers, some as young as 16, coming forward to take part. The experience that they will gain from their involvement in a major event, which they can take into other major events and can even build a career around, is another part of the lasting legacy of hosting such a major event.
Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)
That concludes the ministerial statement. I will allow a few moments for those on the front benches to organise themselves before we move on to the next item of business.
Decision Time
Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)
The next item of business is decision time. There are two questions to be put as a result of today’s business. The first question is, that amendment S6M-19970.2, in the name of Tess White, which seeks to amend motion S6M-19970, in the name of Shirley-Anne Somerville, on uniting local and national efforts across sectors to end violence against women and girls, be agreed to. Are we agreed?
Members:
No.
Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)
There will be a division.
There will be a short suspension to allow members to access the digital voting system.
Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)
We come to the vote on amendment S6M-19970.2, in the name of Tess White, which seeks to amend motion S6M-19970, in the name of Shirley-Anne Somerville, on uniting local and national efforts across sectors to end violence against women and girls. Members should cast their votes now.
Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)
The result of the division is: For 31, Against 71, Abstentions 21.
Amendment disagreed to.
Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)
The final question is, that motion S6M-19970, in the name of Shirley-Anne Somerville, on uniting local and national efforts across sectors to end violence against women and girls, be agreed to.
Motion agreed to,
That the Parliament unites in its commitment to 2025’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign; warns that digital violence is the fastest growing form of abuse against women and girls worldwide; highlights the UN Women campaign, “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls”, which reminds everyone that digital safety is central to gender equality; recognises that protecting women and girls online will take concerted societal action from all spheres of government, tech companies, organisations, institutions and individuals, and commits to strengthening efforts to prevent violence against women and girls across all sectors and in all its forms.
Alison Johnstone (Presiding Officer, Lothian)
That ends decision time.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Annabelle Ewing (Scottish National Party, Cowdenbeath)
The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-19557, in the name of Pam Duncan-Glancy, on the international day of persons with disabilities. The debate will be concluded without any question being put.
Motion debated,
That the Parliament recognises 3 December 2025 as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which is a day that has been established by the UN to promote the rights and wellbeing of disabled people in all aspects of life; acknowledges that this year’s theme is ‘Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress’, which highlights that, when societies remove barriers and create equal opportunities, everyone benefits; commends the contributions that disabled people make to Scotland’s communities, economy, culture and public life; recognises the continuing barriers that they face, including in employment, education, transport and access to public services; supports the work of disabled people’s organisations, advocacy groups and charities across Scotland that campaign for equality and human rights, and notes the Parliament’s commitment to building a fairer, more inclusive Scotland, in which everyone can participate fully and thrive, including through events such as the upcoming Disability Summit, which is set to take place at the Parliament, and online, on 21 February 2026.
Pam Duncan-Glancy (Labour, Glasgow)
I am honoured to open this members’ business debate, which provides an opportunity for members to come together to mark the international day of disabled people, which takes place tomorrow, 3 December. I welcome members’ support for the motion and I look forward to hearing all the contributions.
The international day of disabled people is a global day of observance that was first proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1992 to promote the rights and wellbeing of disabled people across all aspects of life. Since then, significant progress has been made, with many countries bringing positive changes through laws, policies and actions in numerous areas, including accessibility in public spaces, public transport and buildings; enhanced digital accessibility; inclusive education and workplace practices; and greater representation of disabled people in public life—including among legislators—recognising that there should be nothing about disabled people without disabled people.
On that last point, I should say that, while I may be the first permanent wheelchair user elected to this place, it is incumbent on me and on us all to ensure that I am not the last. One way in which we in the chamber can ensure that is to empower the next generation of disabled people and—as the theme for this year’s international day says—to foster disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress.
In our own way, in the chamber and in Scotland, we have advanced social progress during the current session of Parliament. One way in which we have done that is that, for the first time ever, the Presiding Officer, on behalf of Parliament, hosted a summit for disabled people to mark international day. I thank her for that leadership.
Today, our Parliament has announced that we will do that again, this time with a future focus. Next year’s summit will provide an opportunity for disabled people to set out what action they want to be taken in the next session of Parliament. The summit will be held on 21 February and, in order to keep it future focused, while a group of cross-party MSPs will co-chair each session, those sessions will be jointly co-chaired with young disabled people from across Scotland—young leaders who do incredible work.
Those young people have joined us tonight in the public gallery. To them, I say this: I welcome you to your Parliament. When I was your age, the idea that this place could be for people like us felt like a pipe dream, yet here I am—here we are. This place is for you; this place is for people like us.
However, while there is much to celebrate—and celebrate we will—there is much still to do. Significant challenges remain. Tens of thousands of people continue to face barriers across every aspect of life—in employment, education, transport and access to public services.
In 2024, only 51 per cent of disabled people—that is just over half—were in employment, in comparison with 83 per cent of non-disabled people. Being locked out of work does not happen overnight; it is the consequence of being presented with systemic barriers over a lifetime. While some disabled people are unable to work, we know that, with the right support and structures in place, many can thrive in—and want to be in—the workplace and can contribute significantly to Scotland, our communities and our economy.
Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living’s equality academy is an incredible example of helping to make that happen. The organisation, which is in my region of Glasgow, runs an internship programme that provides placements for disabled graduates, mainly in the national health service in Scotland. The programme supports disabled people to unlock their potential and has an 88 per cent success rate for getting people into employment. I challenge anyone in government to show us a programme that replicates that level of success, and I would welcome to Glasgow any member who wants to see it in action.
The employment gap must close, but in order for that to happen, we need action not only in employability but in other areas such as education. While many people, including me, support the presumption of mainstreaming, the reality is that the policy is not being implemented as intended, and that is leaving young people in school without the support that they need. We cannot let that go on—we must restore support, and thus restore faith, in mainstream provision to deliver the ambition of inclusion in deeds, not just in words.
There are also barriers in getting to work or school, or indeed anywhere at all. For so many disabled people, that can be really difficult. Glasgow’s subway, for example, remains largely inaccessible. My husband and I cannot travel together by bus, because most services accommodate only one wheelchair, which I think could be a bit of a policy choice rather than a design choice, given the contrast with some other countries, where more than one person in a wheelchair can travel. When disabled people try to use accessible taxis to get around, we face long waits because there are very few taxis available, as a result of some policy decisions that can make it difficult for taxi drivers to remain in business. Many buildings remain inaccessible and—worryingly—some accessible toilets are still frequently kept locked to the public, leaving disabled people having to find someone and ask permission to use the toilet.
As we know, thousands of disabled people are stuck on social care and NHS waiting lists. That includes those with arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions, which affect around 1.7 million people in Scotland. Those conditions are among the biggest causes of persistent pain, disability and working days lost, and will remain so over the next 20 years, yet essential forms of healthcare such as hip and knee replacements account for nearly a third of all waits for planned operations, and there is no discernible plan that is dedicated to addressing this. The cross-party group on arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions is working hard to address that.
It is clear that there is still a long way to go to ensure that disabled people are able to realise our human rights, but—I say to you, Presiding Officer; to colleagues; and to friends and visitors in the gallery—that I have hope, for three reasons. First, I have hope because there are the disabled people’s organisations, advocacy groups and charities across Scotland that campaign for equality and human rights. I say to them: thank you—the impact of your work cannot be overestimated.
I will take a moment to mention a giant of that movement, Etienne d’Aboville, whom we lost in October. Etienne was a force of nature: a passionate and diligent campaigner who changed my life and that of thousands of others. I, and many others, miss him.
Secondly, I have hope because there are incredible disabled people in Scotland, who are innovative by design—for some, even just getting out of bed needs innovation. It will be that innovation that delivers our emancipation.
Lastly, I have hope because—as this year’s theme highlights—when societies work together and remove barriers and create equal opportunities, everyone benefits. That is demonstrated by the tremendous contribution that disabled people make to Scotland—to our communities, our economy, our culture and our public life, every day—and it is embodied in the work that they do.
For that, and because I believe that we all feel the weight of responsibility to leave the world a better place, I believe that we can, and will, advance social progress for disabled people, together.
Annabelle Ewing (Scottish National Party, Cowdenbeath)
We move to the open debate.
Karen Adam (Scottish National Party, Banffshire and Buchan Coast)
I congratulate Pam Duncan-Glancy on securing this members’ business debate to mark the international day of persons with disabilities. This year’s theme is fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress. That theme recognises something very simple: that, when we remove barriers and create equal opportunities, we do not just help disabled people—we strengthen our whole society.
For me, that is not abstract. I grew up as a child of a deaf adult—a CODA—and, from a very young age, I was painfully aware that the world was not set up for people like my dad, who is deaf. I watched bank staff, officials and people in professional positions speak over him and treat him as if he was a child without capacity, simply because he could not hear. Decisions were made around him instead of with him. That was not about his abilities; it was about other people’s assumptions and ignorance, and it was degrading.
Now, as a mum of neurodivergent children with additional support needs, I see those patterns in different ways. My children, like so many others, have too often been treated as problems to be fixed—as disruptors in classrooms that were never designed with them in mind in the first place. Children know when they are seen as an inconvenience, and they sense that they do not belong in the very place where they should feel the safest. That does real harm to their confidence, their wellbeing and their education.
The motion before us recognises those everyday exclusions. It acknowledges that disabled people still face
“barriers ... in employment, education, transport and access to public services”
and it rightly commends disabled people’s contributions to our communities, our economy, our culture and our public life. That contribution is immense, but too often it is made in spite of, not because of, the system.
As a constituency MSP, and as convener of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee, I hear time and again that our world is still not fit for purpose for many disabled people. We have a society in which some of the best players are left on the bench, not because they lack talent but because the game is set at hard mode for disabled people. As the Scottish Human Rights Commission has reminded us, human rights need to be built into the way in which we design services from the very start, not patched on at the end when the damage is already done.
I thank Pam Duncan-Glancy for using her voice and her lived experience to challenge exclusionary structures and for bringing the motion to the chamber. I also thank the disabled people’s organisations, advocacy groups and charities across Scotland that fight, every single day, for equality and human rights, often while navigating the very barriers that they are campaigning to remove.
My hope, and my commitment, is for a Scotland where everyone can take part, whatever taking part means for them. For some, like Pam, that will be taking part in employment, politics or public life. For others, it will be living independently, travelling safely, learning in a classroom where they are understood and feel welcome or simply being part of their local community without facing a wall of barriers. All those things are equal and valid ambitions.
To my disabled constituents, and to disabled people across Scotland, I say this: you are not the problem. The problem is a world that has been built without you in mind. Let this international day of persons with disabilities be not just a date in our diary but a call to action that we answer with real, lasting, practical change.
Alexander Stewart (Conservative, Mid Scotland and Fife)
I am pleased to speak in the debate, and I thank Pam Duncan-Glancy for bringing this important issue to the chamber.
The international day of persons with disabilities reminds us of our collective responsibility to uphold the rights, dignity and wellbeing of disabled people across all areas of life and all aspects of society. It is important that Parliament acknowledges this day, and I congratulate Pam Duncan-Glancy and the societies, groups and organisations that all play a part.
I welcome the UN’s chosen theme for this year, which is fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress. That theme reflects a simple truth, which is that the whole of society benefits when we support disabled people to thrive by removing barriers and widening access for them.
When I engage with organisations in my region, including employment services and third sector groups, it is clear just how much those organisations, and individuals with disabilities in the area, contribute to the communities that they work in every day and ensure that those communities thrive.
Pam Duncan-Glancy’s motion rightly speaks about some of the challenges that disabled people continue to face. Those challenges include barriers to accessing education, securing stable employment and accessing public services, which remains difficult for disabled people.
Of all those challenges, employment remains one of the most significant. From 2013 to 2019, we saw positive change on that issue, and the proportion of disabled people in employment increased from 43 to 54 per cent. Despite some progress, however, we know that the disability employment gap remains stubbornly high. Recent figures have shown that the disability employment rate is 53.1 per cent, which is nearly 30 percentage points lower than the rate for those who are non-disabled. We also know that employment rates for disabled people fell during the pandemic, and that, overall, the proportion of disabled people in employment has not increased since 2019.
While we recognise the progress, there is a lot of work to do. We have to ensure that much more work is done. For example, we need to ensure that workplaces are genuinely inclusive, that disabled people have access to the correct support and that employers are able to make any necessary adjustments to enable them to work.
The previous United Kingdom Government doubled spending on the access to work programme between 2016 and 2024, and that provision helped to deliver employment support for more than 67,000 individuals in 2023-24. As we go forward, it is important that there is a continued commitment to supporting disabled people to seek work where possible, so that further progress can be achieved.
Inclusion should be not just an aspiration but an essential part of a fairer Scotland, which we all want to see. It is therefore important that we ask the Scottish Government to continue to engage constructively with Parliament’s forthcoming disability summit. I look forward to seeing what can be achieved from that.
The United Kingdom Government also has a key role to play in the process, as most aspects of equalities and employment law are still reserved matters. We must ensure that UK-wide disability rights legislation remains robust and effective and that Governments work together to make employment practices more inclusive. Disabled people deserve a system that works for them across all parts of the United Kingdom and at all levels of government.
In conclusion, I hope that members on all sides of the chamber can work together to make that vision a reality, because disabled people want nothing more than for the Parliament to work with them to achieve the goals that they rightfully deserve to reach.
Carol Mochan (Labour, South Scotland)
I thank my colleague, Pam Duncan-Glancy, for bringing this important debate to the chamber. I am delighted that I will be joining the Parliament’s 2026 disability summit, which is mentioned in the motion; I am looking forward to working with the young people who will be co-chairing the sessions.
I will, if I may, start by talking a little bit about my colleague, Pam Duncan-Glancy, who is an inspiration not only to me, but, I know, to many others in the chamber. My colleague, who is sitting beside me, has worked tirelessly throughout her career on this cause, and I know that she will continue to fight for the rights and wellbeing of disabled people.
If there is one thing that I have learned about Pam Duncan-Glancy, it is that she has plenty of fight. She and others, such as Karen Adam’s father, have faced challenges and barriers that I cannot even imagine. She has shared those experiences with us in the chamber, and across the community, to ensure that the voices of many disabled people can be heard. She is generous with her time on these issues and shows great determination to change the trajectory for every disabled person that she can.
Over my five years in Parliament, I have realised that Pam Duncan-Glancy is a great ally and wonderful friend. She is also very funny and—I probably should not say this, Deputy Presiding Officer—we have had very many laughs and funny moments just sitting here in the chamber beside each other.
However, I want to make the point that Pam Duncan-Glancy is a very able parliamentarian. If we can bring more people with her experiences and background to Parliament, to professional jobs and to a whole variety of workplaces, we will have a far healthier and happier economy and society, and much better public service provision. I say that not just to talk up my friend, but to say to society that if we can make changes, we will all benefit. Disabled people should be our friends, neighbours and work colleagues. That would benefit us all.
Despite knowing how valuable disabled people are to our society, however, we know that the true picture—as we heard from Alexander Stewart—is that they face restrictions and their opportunities are often taken away. The employment rate for disabled people has been consistently lower than the rate for non-disabled people. People who are recorded as having additional support needs are less likely to achieve the qualifications that they should, and when they leave school, they are less likely to have a positive destination. We know that poverty rates remain much higher among households where someone has a disability. That is unacceptable, and we must continue to fight it.
The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic demonstrated that if someone has a disability, the inequalities that they face are more likely to be exacerbated. People with disabilities have the right to work and to be part of our society, and it is incumbent on Government to ensure that the world of work is a welcoming and suitably adjusted environment. The Equality Act 2010 offers disabled people a lot of protection from workplace discrimination, but in order to ensure that that protection is realised, the Government must take the issue seriously. I am sure that we will hear the Minister for Equalities, in her closing remarks, speak about how we must continue to push to ensure that the 2010 act is complied with.
We must allocate resources and ensure that education and workplace projects are properly funded. We need to see much better representation of disabled people across society: in our media, our public services and our representative bodies. I hope that, as a result, other people will have the great privilege of meeting great work colleagues and friends, just like we in Parliament have in Pam Duncan-Glancy.
Maggie Chapman (Green, North East Scotland)
I am grateful to Pam Duncan-Glancy for securing the debate. It is only right that we recognise in our Parliament the international day of persons with disabilities.
I will focus on social security, as it has the power to foster an inclusive society, or to marginalise and exclude. The devolution of powers over disability benefits promised one of the most important developments in the rights of disabled people in the history of the Parliament. After years of cuts and austerity, years of successive UK Governments stigmatising disabled people who require support, and years of policies being forced through despite disabled people’s concerns, the Parliament finally had the opportunity to do things differently and to show compassion, care and respect to disabled people.
Respect is especially important—it is part of Social Security’s Scotland strapline, “dignity, fairness and respect”. However, three years into the new system, I am not sure that we are fully delivering on that promise. After a promising start, we have seen huge falls in the success rates of those applying for adult disability payment. A total of 54 per cent—more than half—of those who have applied for ADP have been rejected, with the figure for the most recent financial year rising to 63 per cent. The rejection rate is now worse than it was for the personal independence payment. That is not just my analysis—the Institute for Fiscal Studies, the Scottish Fiscal Commission and the independent review of ADP all say the same.
What about the ambition to get decisions right first time? In ADP’s short history, almost 60,000 people have asked for a second opinion on their decision. It is positive that, in about half of those cases, Social Security Scotland has admitted that it was wrong and has changed the decision—that is a higher rate of changes than elsewhere. However, some people have to go to court to get what they are owed. More than half of all claimants who go through the stress of appealing to the tribunal win their cases, having already gone through an internal review and been rejected for a second time. Too often, Social Security Scotland is not getting it right the first time or the second time. Instead, it is being forced by the courts to do the right thing and pay up. That is not dignified for disabled people, nor is it fair or respectful.
Looking across the statistics, almost every measure is going in the wrong direction. There are more rejections, more appeals and fewer people getting the highest rates. What is going on? If there has been a deliberate shift in assessment practice, we need to know, and the Scottish Government must be held accountable. I ask the minister to address those concerns in closing, if she can.
The independent review of ADP has now reported, making a range of helpful recommendations, such as scrapping the 20m rule that it inherited from PIP, which deliberately makes it harder for people with mobility needs to get support. The review also suggested a more automated system, in which people with particular conditions can access benefits without making a full application. Having a social care package, receiving money from the independent living fund or having a blue badge could all confer automatic eligibility. That approach is not just theoretical. After a trial by Transport Scotland, blue badges are now subject to a streamlined process for those with motor neurone disease, using a sign-off from an MND nurse, so it can be done.
Data also shows that ADP uptake among black and minority ethnic communities is lower than average. Why is that, and what do we need to do to change it to make the system genuinely fair for everyone?
When the Scottish Government responds to the review, I hope that it grasps the opportunity to right the wrongs that are faced by too many disabled people in this country. I hope that next year, when we again recognise this important day, we will have a better story to tell.
Jeremy Balfour (Independent, Lothian)
Like others, I congratulate Pam Duncan-Glancy on securing the debate. I also thank her for highlighting the summit that will take place in February. It was a pleasure this afternoon to meet some of the young people who are in the gallery, and I am sure that the day will be a success.
I found Pam Duncan-Glancy’s speech quite uplifting. Perhaps it will be the other side of the coin to what I want to say tonight, because, although this Parliament often talks about disability and accessibility, the reality is that, often, there are warm words but very little action coming out of those discussions.
Let us look at what the political parties are doing, or are not doing, on issues affecting disabled people. One party is not even here to speak in the debate, so I will turn to the Scottish National Party, which forms the Scottish Government. It has done almost nothing to deal with the disability employment gap. We hear lots of warm words about how we need to close the gap—we have heard that from speakers already tonight—but we know that the figure has not moved at all. We must ask the Scottish Government and the UK Government what they are doing to close the gap, rather than talking about it.
The Scottish Government has dragged its feet on the changing places toilets fund. It has taken almost the full session of Parliament for that fund to come forward. Last week, I held a meeting with about 15 disability charities and asked them what one thing they would like to happen. The answer was that they want to see the Government deliver a manifesto commitment, because it still has not abolished non-residential social care charges. I ask the minister: will that happen before this session of Parliament comes to an end in the spring of next year, or was the commitment simply words on a bit of paper?
To Scottish Labour members, I say gently—or maybe not so gently—that they need to speak to their colleagues down south. We all know that the health element of universal credit is still in the pipeline and that it will make life harder for disabled people. It is easy to come up with something that will make for a cheap headline, as Labour did last week in relation to the motability scheme in a move that saved not one penny of taxpayers’ money but was simply designed to mimic Reform policies.
I say to my former colleagues on the left of me—their position in the chamber is the only thing about them that is to the left of me—that they should look at their website. The last time that it was updated with anything on social security was in September 2021. That is how seriously the Scottish Conservatives take social security. From my time in the party, I can say that they have no real understanding of how social security works, and they have no policies coming forward for disabled people.
My final point is that, earlier this year, this Parliament chose to deny disabled people the champion that they deserve. A disability commissioner would have helped to reverse decades of neglect, and it would have driven meaningful change—change that would have transformed the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in our society. However, this Parliament decided that a disability commissioner was one commissioner too many—a decision that was made just weeks after passing legislation to create a commissioner for victims and witnesses.
That decision captures the attitude that I think exists across the chamber. Parties are very good at talking the talk, but when it comes to action, disabled people are too often sidelined in favour of other priorities. I do not think that that is good enough. Disabled people deserve better.
Although I welcome the Parliament’s marking the international day of persons with disabilities, I am afraid that it rings hollow with many disabled people while parties continue to ignore us and ignore the chance to bring about real change in our society.
Christine Grahame (Scottish National Party, Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale)
I congratulate Pam Duncan-Glancy on securing this debate. To put it mildly, she knows far more than I do of the difficulties of those with physical disabilities, although she never lets her circumstances impinge on her contributions. She is clever, articulate and a fearsome parliamentary adversary—but enough of that praise.
Disabilities take many forms. We had a debate last week on Tourette syndrome, which is a much misunderstood disability. We have had members with hearing impairments and we had Dennis Robertson, who was blind. This place of work has tried to provide facilities to suit those individual needs, but, even here, the arrangements for accessing spaces in a wheelchair or, in my case, a mobility scooter needs improvement. People cannot travel from the public area to the garden lobby without accompaniment and the use of a lift. Doors have to be held open by someone else and the lift is small and hidden. I have to say, however, that I have followed Pam Duncan-Glancy, who has exposed hidden accessible routes, which I now use.
I say “now” because, until fairly recently, I would not admit to being in a minor way disabled. My disability is minor, but it has opened my eyes to what others have had to accept in how they access places and transport. Some people have been kind, some experiences have been annoying and some experiences have been, frankly, hilarious—at least, that was the best way to react. My mobility scooter is now regularly seen as I navigate the Parliament. However, in a world in which a mobile phone has to be scanned all the time, I find myself having to shout all the time to clear a pathway, because my horn is sadly pathetic.
Recently, when I was out with my walking stick, I found that I had to step aside to let others pass, not the other way round, even though, as is the case for others, pain is always my unwelcome companion. That lack of consideration makes me angry.
I will talk about annoyances, such as having to rely on others to, for example, simply pass through entrances. Doors here and elsewhere in public areas should open easily and comfortably for those with mobility aids. Lift doors should be timed to stay open long enough to allow people with mobility issues to enter safely. Able-bodied folk filling lifts when there is no need for them to do so, leaving disabled people to wait, is simply wrong.
The experience of being an assisted passenger at railways and airports is also annoying. Waverley station is a mixed bag. On one occasion, my assistance, which had been booked, did not make an appearance, but I managed to capture a member of staff to help me to my distant carriage. Edinburgh airport has an assisted passenger desk, but that is well away from the entrance, so people have to struggle to it before they are allocated the most basic sort of wheelchair, which feels as if it and its user will part company quite easily. At the gates, the assisted passenger must wait conspicuously with others for their rickety transport to be placed on a lorry-like platform, which raises them up like a wheelie bin on to an even more rickety vehicle, which then deposits them on the plane.
At the end of the flight, they are, of course, the last to come off. At Halifax airport in Nova Scotia, I was offloaded and abandoned for some time, waiting for some poor soul to locate me and deposit me at customs. It is all a bit rough and ready and undignified, unless one is prepared to see the funny side of it. My walking stick was suspiciously and scrupulously examined at customs in Canada on account of its having a place for a light at the end. The whole shebang took so long that my poor family—complete with “Welcome, Granny Scotland” banners—had to wait 45 minutes before I appeared, now with walking stick, to an all-but-empty airport foyer.
However, there are kind people who offer help, even if someone is trying to do something for themselves, such as getting luggage on to the rack. On balance, in my case, such actions have, so far, outweighed the lack of consideration.
On accessibility, improvement is much needed, because, all too often, there are only stairs, which means that there is no access at all.
I thank the member for securing this debate. There are, of course, far more serious obstacles than those that I have met, but even having this recent but permanent taste of what is involved in simply getting from here to there while maintaining one’s dignity and, importantly, one’s individuality has been a lesson for this politician, and I am still learning.
Kaukab Stewart (Scottish National Party, Glasgow Kelvin)
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.
Annabelle Ewing (Scottish National Party, Cowdenbeath)
Thank you, minister. That concludes the debate.