Image source, Thinkstock

The Scottish government, which is taking over some social security services including disability benefits, drew up the action plan around five key ambitions. They are:

• Decent incomes and fairer working lives
• Support services which promote independent living
• Making housing and transport accessible to everyone
• Full protection for the rights of disabled people
• Active participation for the disabled in all aspects of daily and public life

SNP MSP George Adam says his wife Stacey has MS and has mobility issues.

Mr Adam says it is because of this that he understands the issues facing the disabled.

He says people can be completely unaware of the barriers people with a disability face.

The SNP MSP says the rights of all disabled people must be protected.

He says the Fairer Scotland for Disabled People plan is much needed.

Scottish Labour MSP Mark Griffin says the key thrust of the report is to create better working lives and the Labour party support that.

Mr Griffin says the UK Tory government continue to make cuts and the most vulnerable continue to be affected.

He says his party support the calls for the Scottish government to attempt to stop UK government reassessments in Scotland.

The Labour MSP says campaigners will be watching closely with an expectation of a new Scottish social security system that doesn't tie people up in red tape.

Mr Griffin says it is a good plan and one which Labour supports but the government must now live up to its promises. 

He says he welcomes what the minister said in her opening speech about aiming to tackle any hate crime. 

Reaction to the the Fairer Scotland for Disabled People plan 

The move was welcomed by disability groups, although they warned that there was "no time to lose" in the current climate of welfare cuts.

Dr Sally Witcher, chief executive of Inclusion Scotland, external, said the plan sets out "a positive direction of travel towards a fairer Scotland for disabled people, based on a firm foundation of human rights".

Image source, Inclusion Scotland

Dr Witcher said: "Specific commitments on funding for internships, to promote volunteering and to help address the under-representation of disabled people in politics and public life are particularly welcome.

"But the challenge now is to transform ambitions into actions that will, in turn, transform disabled people's lives and the country we live in. There is much to be done and no time to lose."

Image source, Disability Agenda Scotland

Layla Theiner of Disability Agenda Scotland , externaladded: "As the plan notes, public spending cuts to services and social security have negatively impacted a large number of disabled people and exacerbated inequalities.

"It is key that the ambitions and actions in the report are realised to ensure a difference is made to their lives."

Image source, LUKASSEK

The Scottish government aims to halve the employment gap for disabled people as part of an action plan to boost disability support.

The Fairer Scotland for Disabled People, external plan includes 93 actions aimed at aiding independent living, protecting rights and improving working lives.

Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman said 1m disabled people contribute to Scotland's communities.

Disability groups welcomed the plan as a "positive direction of travel".

Campaigners say many disabled people still face discrimination, poverty and prejudice.

Here is the Labour amendment

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Image source, bbc

Mr Tomkins says it is taking too long to close the employability gap.

The Tory MSP says the Scottish and UK government's should work together to address that issue.

SNP MSP Sandra White asks if Mr Tomkin agrees with the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities when it concluded that there have been “grave and systematic violations” of disabled people’s human rights.

Mr Tomkins says no he does not and says the UK spends more on those with disabilities per head than France, Germany and the US.

The Tory MSP says the the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities' report is an "exceptionally poor quality report".

Scottish Conservative MSP Adam Tomkins says he appreciates that this debate is being signed and he hopes this is something they can do in future debates.

Mr Tomkins says the Tories welcome the Scottish government's plans and he agrees with much of what the minister had to say.

The Tory MSP says his party is proud of the measures introduced to support disabled people.

Here is the Conservative amendment

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Social Security Minister Jeanne Freeman says stigma continues to blight the lives of disabled people.

Ms Freeman confirms the Scottish government will tackle the issue in 2017 as part of the One Scotland Campaign.

She says all disabled people should have choice and control, dignity and freedom to live the lives they choose.

Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman says the government want to reduce the employment gap between disabled people and others in society.

Ms Freeman says public transport will be improved for disabled people.

she says disabled people should be supported in and out of work and, "in contrast to the UK government", the Scottish government will work on rights based strategies.

Image source, International Day of Persons with Disabilities UN

Social Security Minister Jeanne Freeman uses her motion to highlight the importance of the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities , externalin drawing attention to the human rights of disabled people around the world. 

Ms Freeman says A Fairer Scotland for Disabled People: Our Delivery Plan to 2021 , externalwill help bring about the transformational change that is required in social security.

She says the Scottish Government will continue to engage with disabled people.

The minister says the Scottish government is firmly committed to implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in full.

She condemns the actions and welfare cuts of the UK Government, which have led the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, external to conclude that there have been "grave and systematic violations" of disabled people's human rights.

Ms Freeman says the government will work with families and disabled children to help with the transition from education through to employment.

The minister says the strategy will be worked through with disabled people and those who care for children who are disabled.

She says the government will work to ensure modern apprenticeship programmes are available to those with disabilities. 

Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman says over one million disabled people distribute to Scotland but there are barriers in their way.

Ms Freeman says discrimination and inequality effect their lives every day.

She says the Fairer Action Scotland Plan two months ago.

The minister thanks those in the public gallery who took part in the consultation plan. 

She says the government has set out recommendations to make improvements for those with disabilities. 

The Scottish government has worked with disabled people and organisations to find out what needs to be done to remove the barriers that exclude disabled people from living as independent a life as they can. 

This is a summary of the plan the Scottish Government has made for the next 5 years. The full plan has over 90 actions. 

Image source, Scottish government

This summary includes the most important ones.

• A Fairer Scotland for Disabled People – our Delivery Plan to 2021, external for the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has five long-term ambitions aimed at transforming the lives of disabled people in Scotland and ensuring that their human rights are realised.
• The plan sets out 93 actions which will be taken forward during the current parliamentary term, and includes halving the employment gap for disabled people; setting a target to increase the percentage of disabled people in the public sector workforce; and increasing supply of wheelchair accessible housing.
• The Access to Elected Office Fund will continue beyond the local government elections in 2017 to support potential candidates for the Scottish Parliament elections in 2021.

The Scottish government motion is

Image source, Scottish Parliament