Mr Balfour says historically we have created jobs specifically for disabled people rather than making workplaces more accessible generally.

We want to ensure disabled people can fully participate in public life without stigma, he says.

The Tory MSP goes on to highlight issues with self-directed support and he calls for an urgent review of it by the Scottish government and local authorities.

The disability employment gap stands at 35% highlights Mr Balfour and he welcomes the launch of the government's action plan on this.

He suggests the UK and Scottish governments cooperate on this, alongside communities and disabled people, given the split of employment legislation.

A one-stop-shop would be useful to help employers and disabled people deliver a clearer picture, he insists.

Image source, Getty Images

One in five people in Scotland are living in relative poverty.

Latest government figures covering the last three years show that 1.03 million people are existing below the poverty threshold.

The figures reveal that 240,000 children are living in poverty, two thirds of those coming from working households.

The data is based on income and shows a continuing trend of rising poverty and income inequality.

Poverty rates remain higher for families in which somebody is disabled compared to those without.

In 2015-18, the poverty rate after housing costs for people in families with a disabled person was 24%, compared with 17% in a family without a disabled person.

Read more.

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Jeremy Balfour says his conversations with disabled people and disability organisations suggest we are a long we from achieving equality.

Mr Balfour cites a report from the Equality and Human Rights Commission which described disabled people in Scotland as "being left behind".

He tells the chamber he agrees with the Scottish government's ambitions to address this.

Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton raises concerns about work and pensions minister Sarah Newton has not been replaced after resigning after she voted against the orders of the whips in a Brexit vote on Wednesday night.

Mr Balfour agrees a minister must be appointed as soon as possible.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Ms McKelvie says the government is looking at making places more accessible to all, such as through the provision of Changing Place toilets.

She also confirms the government will shortly issue guidance to local authorities to ensure they all have targets in place for wheelchair accessible housing.

Our shared goal is nothing less than for all disabled people to have choice and control, dignity and freedom to live the life that they choose with the support they need to do so, the minister states.

We are working with disabled people and representative organisations to achieve this, she concludes.

Image source, bbc

Ms McKelvie points out disabled people benefit from work in exactly the same way that non-disabled people do.

The minister calls for a shift in how disabled people are treated in the employment market.

It has become clear a Fairer Scotland for Disabled People is not ambitious enough, she accepts.

That's why her colleague Fair Work Minister Jamie Hepburn published an employment action plan, she argues.

The minister pivots to the importance of social security and the differences she says will be implemented here in Scotland.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Parliament is providing BSL translation here., external

Image source, Science Photo Library

This document , externaloutlines the action Scottish government will take to meet its ambition to at least halve the disability employment gap in Scotland.

Equalities Minister Christina McKelvie says people do not always recognise the value of disabled people in society.

For too many disabled people, their dreams are denied to them because of barriers society puts in place she states.

Ms McKelvie emphasises that this is not the fault of disabled people but of the barriers society has put up which prevents participation.

Support services, decent incomes, accessible places, and encouraging active participation are all ambitions of this government she tells the chamber.

Image source, bbc

The Scottish government will now lead a debate entitled ‘Progressing Towards a Fairer Scotland for Disabled People’.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Image source, bbc

Mr Mackay says this will be of great interest to the entire chamber and the Tories in particular.

The finance secretary adds the Scottish government's judiciary budget provides for the running costs of the Court of the Lord Lyon, which was set at £100,000 for 2019/20.

He explains that the court generates its own income.

SNP MSP Emma Harper asks the Scottish government how much of its Budget it allocated to the Court of the Lord Lyon in Scotland, and how the finance secretary reached this decision.

Public Finance Minister Kate Forbes says it would be for local authorities to conduct an impact assessment if they wish to use these powers.

The policy of a workplace parking levy will be subject to scrutiny in the parliament, she adds.

Image source, GETTY IMAGES

The Scottish government has defended plans that could see motorists taxed for parking at work amid claims that it will "fleece" workers for hundreds of pounds a year.

Proposals for a workplace parking levy were included in last week's budget agreement between the SNP and Greens.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney told MSPs that it would be up to individual councils whether to introduce it.

The Conservatives said the tax would hit low-paid workers the hardest.

• Will you have to pay to park at work?
• Look back on FMQs with Holyrood Live

Tory MSP Edward Mountain asks the Scottish government what assessment the finance secretary has made of the impact on business rates of its proposed workplace parking levy.

Image source, PA/Getty Images

We now move to questions on finance, economy and fair work and here they are, external.

Image source, Science Photo Library

The economy and fair work ministers will be quizzed by portfolio questions.

Finally the Scottish government will lead a debate entitled ‘Progressing Towards a Fairer Scotland for Disabled People’.

Image source, bbc

Rhoda Grant calls again for an independent inquiry into the treatment of DeeAnn Fitzpatrick.

The minister replies she appreciates how strongly Rhoda Grant and others feel about what DeeAnn faced.

However, Ms McKelive goes on to say the issues are subject to an ongoing internal process so it would be completely inappropriate to comment at this time.

Labour MSP Elaine Smith raises a point of order to insist Ms McKelvie could have taken a position on a public inquiry because the internal process is a disciplinary procedure, not a legal one.