Chamber and committees

We recognise the pressure on household budgets, which is why we are working with key partners, including Glasgow City Council, to tackle child poverty through transforming the way in which public services are delivered. Our benefit take-up strategy, along with investment of more than £16 million in welfare, debt and income maximisation advice services, helps us to ensure that people throughout Scotland can access all the financial support to which they are entitled.

Targeted local support in Glasgow includes £400,000 for the fairer futures partnership and a range of local advice projects, supported by our advice in accessible settings fund.

I agree. Scotland faces an on-going cost of living crisis, with global events likely to exacerbate already stretched household budgets. We have consistently called on the UK Government to do more. The Cabinet Secretary for Housing has pressed UK ministers urgently to provide public reassurance to all bill payers that ministers will provide financial support to consumers if prices do not stabilise in the coming days. She has also asked that the alternative fuel payment infrastructure be ready to be stood up, so that payments can be delivered as quickly as possible.

I give my sincere thanks to all the members who have contributed so thoughtfully to today’s debate. I also thank Jeremy Balfour for bringing the motion to the Parliament.

The strength of feeling across the Parliament shows just how deeply we value the lived experience of disabled people and the vital role that it plays in strengthening our democracy. The motion before us underscores that point clearly by recognising that lived experience is essential to effective scrutiny and better legislation.

As members have referred to, the Scottish Parliament recently hosted its second disability summit, which I was delighted to take part in. The themes that we heard about—representation, participation and accountability—speak directly to today’s debate. The summit reinforced that lived experience must continue to guide scrutiny and policy making across the Parliament.

Jeremy Balfour took time to acknowledge the progress that has been made, and he was right to point out that we have more to do. I pay tribute to Mr Balfour’s relentless campaigning for disabled people’s rights. Emma Harper also exemplified the value of lived experience in shaping good policy development.

Lived experience is essential evidence that is rooted in the disability rights movement’s principle of nothing about us without us. I have had the pleasure of seeing the Purple Poncho Players, who exemplify that principle through music and art, showing us how essential it is. When such evidence is systematically gathered, and gathered ethically, it strengthens committee scrutiny, improves policy design and, ultimately, enhances the quality of our laws.

That direction of travel is clear across the Parliament and it is embedded in the Scottish Government’s approach to disability equality. Our disability equality plan was developed with disabled people’s organisations, Inclusion Scotland, Glasgow Disability Alliance and Disability Equality Scotland. Disabled people’s voices shaped the work from the start. The first phase of the plan focuses on the priorities that the DPOs identified, which were supporting disabled household finances, enabling full participation in communities and national life and improving mental health.

To underpin that, our recent budget set out a £3.5 million multiyear funding commitment to disability equality, providing certainty for disabled people’s organisations and disabled leaders. That will build and strengthen capacity across the DPO sector and among disabled people, leading to improved participation and inclusion in communities and national life.

Members will also be aware that, on 3 February 2026, we held the Cabinet takeover. That was the first of its kind in the United Kingdom, so it was a landmark moment that placed directly at the Cabinet table the lived experience of disabled people as equal partners. It did not simply gather views; it brought disabled people into the centre of Government decision making.

Jeremy Balfour has referenced, and the motion highlights, the important reality of the fact that only 5 per cent of current MSPs declare a disability, compared with—according to my figures—24 per cent of Scotland’s population. That disparity absolutely matters. Representation shapes the discussions that we have—as it has done today—along with the priorities that we set and the solutions that we design. Democracy is at its strongest when it reflects the full diversity of the nations that it serves. Alexander Stewart, Emma Harper and Carol Mochan acknowledged that.

As many members have highlighted, too many barriers still exist, whether those are structural, financial, attitudinal or practical. Those barriers discourage or prevent disabled people and others with protected characteristics from putting themselves forward for elected office.

Recognising those barriers is the first step to dismantling them. The access to elected office fund is an important part of that work. In the 2021 Scottish Parliament election, it supported 14 disabled candidates. In the 2022 local elections, 46 people received support and 22 of those were elected. That demonstrates clearly what is possible when barriers are removed. That progress is worth acknowledging, and it underscores why initiatives must continue to grow.

Many disabled people belong to other underrepresented communities, and that intersectionality matters. We will keep listening to and working with those with experiences that cut across race, disability, sex, sexual orientation, religion and belief, so that our actions reflect the whole person, not just one part of their identity.

The responsibility for change is shared by us all across Parliament, political parties and communities. Of course, language matters, as Pam Duncan-Glancy and Emma Roddick have highlighted very effectively, reminding us all to be mindful of being respectful and not to add to the stigma that can, often, still attach.

The debate has reaffirmed a simple truth: democracy works best when everyone can fully participate in it. We have made progress, but we absolutely have more to do. With the multiyear commitment and the momentum from the Cabinet takeover and the second disability summit, we will support more disabled people to participate, lead and be represented across Scotland’s public life.

Regarding the specific proposal that the member raises, I am unable to comment on live applications.

In June last year, I met the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy to discuss areas of her portfolio where different groups experience particular impacts in relation to net zero, climate justice and just transition. The member can be assured that we will continue to engage on and consider those matters carefully.

Regarding new infrastructure, it is important to note that Scotland’s fourth national planning framework, known as NPF4, ensures that the potential impacts of proposals on communities and nature are important considerations in the decision-making process. Matters relating to electricity networks, including legislation and regulation, are, of course, reserved to the United Kingdom Government, with strategic planning undertaken by the National Energy System Operator, and the Scottish Government has no role beyond its statutory planning and consenting functions.

As I have already said, I cannot comment on live applications.

I thank all members who have contributed to this afternoon’s debate, especially Jackie Dunbar, who very passionately articulated the essence of her motion.

Access to banking and financial services is fundamental to a strong, resilient economy and to the wellbeing of our communities. That principle holds true not only for businesses but for the thousands of charities that are working tirelessly across Scotland. Every one of us in the chamber recognises the essential role that the third sector plays. Charities and community organisations support our people, strengthen our neighbourhoods and often step in where the need is greatest. It is therefore vital that our financial systems operate in ways that enable, not hinder, their work.

Although financial services regulation remains reserved to the UK Government, we will continue to press banks and financial providers to listen carefully to their customers and to address the practical barriers that many charities face. Those organisations deserve services that reflect the realities of their work.

I will take a minute to acknowledge the contributions of members.

Liam Kerr clearly gave examples of the good work that charities do and the distinct role that the voluntary sector plays, but he also spoke about the impact of bank charges on what can be very small funds. Thankfully, many charities’ funds fall below the thresholds for charging, but that point was well made.

Other members highlighted the amazing work that volunteers do. I point out to Jamie Hepburn that 66 per cent of charities have no paid staff at all and rely solely on volunteers, which shows how essential they are.

The Scottish Government always stands ready to work constructively with the UK Government, regulators and sector stakeholders to ensure that charities across Scotland have long-term, sustainable access to the banking services that they rely on, and has previously engaged with the Financial Conduct Authority regarding the matters that have been raised by Ms Dunbar. In February this year, the FCA responded to Scottish Government officials and confirmed that it recognised the importance of third sector organisations being able to access appropriate financial services, but stated that, at present, it has not been provided with evidence indicating that charities or community groups are routinely being charged unfairly. However, it said that it is aware of broader banking challenges facing third sector organisations, and that, where it sees evidence that firms are consistently failing to meet standards, it will consider the need for regulatory intervention. I therefore encourage charitable or community organisations that feel that they have been treated unfairly to contact the FCA, so that the issues facing the sector can be recognised.

I understand that the Charity Finance Group and the three UK charity regulators are already working with the banking sector to ensure that the challenges that face the charity sector are fully understood. I express my thanks to them for the work that is already under way. The Scottish Government supports that engagement and will work closely with them and the FCA as more evidence emerges.

Charities are at the forefront of supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our society, and they respond daily to economic pressures and social challenges. To do that effectively, they must have reliable and timely access to their funds. Robust financial governance is a cornerstone of charity regulation, and appropriate financial controls are central to that responsibility. Charity trustees carry a clear legal duty to protect their charity’s assets, and they must have systems in place that allow them to fulfil that duty confidently.

For all those reasons, we will continue to do what we can to promote banking services that work properly for the third sector. Those organisations, which provide vital services, deserve a financial system that recognises and supports their contributions.

I recognise the challenges that are being faced. That is why the Scottish Government is committed to delivering fairer funding for the third sector. Our initial fairer funding pilot provided £130 million in multiyear funding. We are building on that with the announcement in the budget that disabled people’s organisations will receive a separate three-year funding agreement. Just last month, we announced additional multiyear investment in the delivering equally safe funding to national providers of advice services. All of that together means that almost half the total value of the third sector grants in the social justice portfolio in 2025-26 is now covered by multiyear funding agreements.

We want to go further and build on the progress that we have made, which is why the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice announced that we will work with the third sector to deliver Scotland’s first-ever third sector partnership to further strengthen the role and place of the sector in Scotland. That new partnership will create a unique and valuable opportunity for Government to work more effectively with the sector and build on that progress.

To conclude, the third sector plays an indispensable role in our national life. It is essential that financial services work for it in practice, not just in principle.

Meeting closed at 18:09.

I thank all members who have contributed to this afternoon’s debate, especially Jackie Dunbar, who very passionately articulated the essence of her motion.

Access to banking and financial services is fundamental to a strong, resilient economy and to the wellbeing of our communities. That principle holds true not only for businesses but for the thousands of charities that are working tirelessly across Scotland. Every one of us in the chamber recognises the essential role that the third sector plays. Charities and community organisations support our people, strengthen our neighbourhoods and often step in where the need is greatest. It is therefore vital that our financial systems operate in ways that enable, not hinder, their work.

Although financial services regulation remains reserved to the UK Government, we will continue to press banks and financial providers to listen carefully to their customers and to address the practical barriers that many charities face. Those organisations deserve services that reflect the realities of their work.

I will take a minute to acknowledge the contributions of members.

Liam Kerr clearly gave examples of the good work that charities do and the distinct role that the voluntary sector plays, but he also spoke about the impact of bank charges on what can be very small funds. Thankfully, many charities’ funds fall below the thresholds for charging, but that point was well made.

Other members highlighted the amazing work that volunteers do. I point out to Jamie Hepburn that 66 per cent of charities have no paid staff at all and rely solely on volunteers, which shows how essential they are.

The Scottish Government always stands ready to work constructively with the UK Government, regulators and sector stakeholders to ensure that charities across Scotland have long-term, sustainable access to the banking services that they rely on, and has previously engaged with the Financial Conduct Authority regarding the matters that have been raised by Ms Dunbar. In February this year, the FCA responded to Scottish Government officials and confirmed that it recognised the importance of third sector organisations being able to access appropriate financial services, but stated that, at present, it has not been provided with evidence indicating that charities or community groups are routinely being charged unfairly. However, it said that it is aware of broader banking challenges facing third sector organisations, and that, where it sees evidence that firms are consistently failing to meet standards, it will consider the need for regulatory intervention. I therefore encourage charitable or community organisations that feel that they have been treated unfairly to contact the FCA, so that the issues facing the sector can be recognised.

I understand that the Charity Finance Group and the three UK charity regulators are already working with the banking sector to ensure that the challenges that face the charity sector are fully understood. I express my thanks to them for the work that is already under way. The Scottish Government supports that engagement and will work closely with them and the FCA as more evidence emerges.

Charities are at the forefront of supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our society, and they respond daily to economic pressures and social challenges. To do that effectively, they must have reliable and timely access to their funds. Robust financial governance is a cornerstone of charity regulation, and appropriate financial controls are central to that responsibility. Charity trustees carry a clear legal duty to protect their charity’s assets, and they must have systems in place that allow them to fulfil that duty confidently.

For all those reasons, we will continue to do what we can to promote banking services that work properly for the third sector. Those organisations, which provide vital services, deserve a financial system that recognises and supports their contributions.

I recognise the challenges that are being faced. That is why the Scottish Government is committed to delivering fairer funding for the third sector. Our initial fairer funding pilot provided £130 million in multiyear funding. We are building on that with the announcement in the budget that disabled people’s organisations will receive a separate three-year funding agreement. Just last month, we announced additional multiyear investment in the delivering equally safe funding to national providers of advice services. All of that together means that almost half the total value of the third sector grants in the social justice portfolio in 2025-26 is now covered by multiyear funding agreements.

We want to go further and build on the progress that we have made, which is why the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice announced that we will work with the third sector to deliver Scotland’s first-ever third sector partnership to further strengthen the role and place of the sector in Scotland. That new partnership will create a unique and valuable opportunity for Government to work more effectively with the sector and build on that progress.

To conclude, the third sector plays an indispensable role in our national life. It is essential that financial services work for it in practice, not just in principle.

Meeting closed at 18: 09.

I thank all members who have contributed to this afternoon’s debate, especially Jackie Dunbar, who very passionately articulated the essence of her motion.

Access to banking and financial services is fundamental to a strong, resilient economy and to the wellbeing of our communities. That principle holds true not only for businesses but for the thousands of charities that are working tirelessly across Scotland. Every one of us in the chamber recognises the essential role that the third sector plays. Charities and community organisations support our people, strengthen our neighbourhoods and often step in where the need is greatest. It is therefore vital that our financial systems operate in ways that enable, not hinder, their work.

Although financial services regulation remains reserved to the UK Government, we will continue to press banks and financial providers to listen carefully to their customers and to address the practical barriers that many charities face. Those organisations deserve services that reflect the realities of their work.

I will take a minute to acknowledge the contributions of members.

Liam Kerr clearly gave examples of the good work that charities do and the distinct role that the voluntary sector plays, but he also spoke about the impact of bank charges on what can be very small funds. Thankfully, many charities’ funds fall below the thresholds for charging, but that point was well made.

Other members highlighted the amazing work that volunteers do. I point out to Jamie Hepburn that 66 per cent of charities have no paid staff at all and rely solely on volunteers, which shows how essential they are.

The Scottish Government always stands ready to work constructively with the UK Government, regulators and sector stakeholders to ensure that charities across Scotland have long-term, sustainable access to the banking services that they rely on, and has previously engaged with the Financial Conduct Authority regarding the matters that have been raised by Ms Dunbar. In February this year, the FCA responded to Scottish Government officials and confirmed that it recognised the importance of third sector organisations being able to access appropriate financial services, but stated that, at present, it has not been provided with evidence indicating that charities or community groups are routinely being charged unfairly. However, it said that it is aware of broader banking challenges facing third sector organisations, and that, where it sees evidence that firms are consistently failing to meet standards, it will consider the need for regulatory intervention. I therefore encourage charitable or community organisations that feel that they have been treated unfairly to contact the FCA, so that the issues facing the sector can be recognised.

I understand that the Charity Finance Group and the three UK charity regulators are already working with the banking sector to ensure that the challenges that face the charity sector are fully understood. I express my thanks to them for the work that is already under way. The Scottish Government supports that engagement and will work closely with them and the FCA as more evidence emerges.

Charities are at the forefront of supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our society, and they respond daily to economic pressures and social challenges. To do that effectively, they must have reliable and timely access to their funds. Robust financial governance is a cornerstone of charity regulation, and appropriate financial controls are central to that responsibility. Charity trustees carry a clear legal duty to protect their charity’s assets, and they must have systems in place that allow them to fulfil that duty confidently.

For all those reasons, we will continue to do what we can to promote banking services that work properly for the third sector. Those organisations, which provide vital services, deserve a financial system that recognises and supports their contributions.

I recognise the challenges that are being faced. That is why the Scottish Government is committed to delivering fairer funding for the third sector. Our initial fairer funding pilot provided £130 million in multiyear funding. We are building on that with the announcement in the budget that disabled people’s organisations will receive a separate three-year funding agreement. Just last month, we announced additional multiyear investment in the delivering equally safe funding to national providers of advice services. All of that together means that almost half the total value of the third sector grants in the social justice portfolio in 2025-26 is now covered by multiyear funding agreements.

We want to go further and build on the progress that we have made, which is why the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice announced that we will work with the third sector to deliver Scotland’s first-ever third sector partnership to further strengthen the role and place of the sector in Scotland. That new partnership will create a unique and valuable opportunity for Government to work more effectively with the sector and build on that progress.

To conclude, the third sector plays an indispensable role in our national life. It is essential that financial services work for it in practice, not just in principle.

Meeting closed at 18:09.

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I could not connect either. I would have voted no.

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I could not connect either. I would have voted no.