Upset, Angry and Deeply Disappointed! There are more words that can be used to describe Disability Equality Scotland’s reaction to the United Kingdom (UK) Government’s announcement yesterday (Tuesday 18 March), concerning its review of benefits. Indeed, yesterday the UK Government chose to ignore disabled people and their organisations. We, along with our peers in all four home nations, have writt...

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A Period of Reflection and a Time for Hope Straight up, this is not a Christmas message! As I am writing this, we are all in a kind of ‘twilight zone’ of coming to grips with what the United Kingdom (UK) budget means for us all – both individually and as disabled people’s organisations (DPO) – whilst at the same time looking ahead to what the Scottish Government budget might contain next wee...

Disability Equality Scotland (DES) is delighted to launch its second Quarterly Research Review, at our Celebration Event, on Wednesday 9 October. This review encompasses our research over the last quarter, with a growing emphasis on the cost-of-living impact on disabled people within Scotland. Although the review is retrospective in nature, DES will continue to regularly consult with our members, ...

Fact Sheet: Winter Fuel Payments What is the issue we asked members about? In July 2024 the new Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that the United Kingdom (UK) Government were going to make changes to the Winter Fuel Payment. The UK Government said that from winter 2024 only people who received certain benefits – such as pension credit – would qualify for the payment. Also, Social S...

Fact Sheet: Energy Costs and Support for Disabled People What is the issue we asked members about? Disability Equality Scotland (DES) were asked by Scottish Government to assist them do research concerning energy costs and how these impact on disabled consumers, in advance of a meeting between the Government and Energy Suppliers. As well as the impact of prices, the government wanted to find out: ...

Disability Equality Scotland: General Election Briefing #3 Who We Are Disability Equality Scotland (DES) is a member-led, Disabled People’s Organisation (DPO), working towards the inclusion and accessibility of all disabled people across Scotland in all of society. Our work is based on a human rights approach, and we share the collective voices of disabled people to inform and influence policymaki...

Disability Equality Scotland: General Election Briefing #2 Who We Are Disability Equality Scotland (DES) is a member-led, Disabled People’s Organisation (DPO), working towards the inclusion and accessibility of all disabled people across Scotland in all of society. Our work is based on a human rights approach, and we share the collective voices of disabled people to inform and influence policymaki...

Disability Equality Scotland: General Election Briefing #1 Who We Are Disability Equality Scotland (DES) is a member-led, Disabled People’s Organisation (DPO), working towards the inclusion and accessibility of all disabled people across Scotland in all of society. Our work is based on a human rights approach, and we share the collective voices of disabled people to inform and influence policymaki...

Fact Sheet: Hate Crime What is the issue we asked members about? With the enactment of the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act from 1 April 2024, we wanted an updated picture of people’s experiences of hate crime when travelling on public transport. We carried out a members question in June 2024, to gain members views and experiences. We had 52 responses. What are the key things we found ou...