Capability urges Scottish Parliament to protect free bus travel and parking

Capability Scotland will be asking the Scottish Parliament to protect free parking and bus travel for disabled Scots when it gives evidence to its Welfare Reform Committee today (24th April).

 
Today's session focuses on the additional benefits, or 'passported benefits' disabled people receive based on their eligibility for Disability Living Allowance (DLA). 

Passported  benefits include initiatives like the Blue Badge and Concessionary Travel schemes which make a big difference to the lives of many disabled people.  With 20% of disabled people set to lose out on benefits altogether under the Welfare Reform Bill, the Scottish Parliament is trying to find a way to ensure they don't automatically lose all their other entitlements too.

Capability Scotland. Director of External Affairs, Richard Hamer commented:
 "By protecting disabled people's entitlements to free bus travel and parking the Scottish Parliament can help soften the blow of welfare reform. Capability Scotland hopes that the Scottish Government can work with local authorities to find a practical way of making this happen so that disabled people are not disadvantaged even further by the Bill."

The Welfare Reform Committee was formed following the Scottish Parliament's rejection of the UK Government's Legislative Consent Motion on the Welfare Reform Bill at the end of last year.  The Committee has been tasked with minimising the impact of the Bill on disabled Scots.