Proposed Disability Commissioner Bill

                                                                                   

A consultation has been launched by Jeremy Balfour MSP on a draft Bill to establish a Disability Commissioner for Scotland. The purpose of the Disability Commissioner is to work independently from the Scottish government as a “voice for the disabled community”, and to monitor the policies that are introduced to support disabled people in Scotland.

There will be costs involved in setting up and running the Disability Commissioner Office. Different models for this proposed office may be possible and so the detailed assessment of likely costs would come at a later stage in the development of the Bill. To use the Commissioner for Children & Young People in Scotland Office as an example, the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Budget Submissions for 2021 show an approved budget of £1.3million.

The costs associated with the provisions of this proposed Bill will fall largely upon the Scottish Parliament. There will also be additional costs incurred by the Scottish Parliament in relation to the appointment of the Commissioner; setting up a selection panel and providing administrative and other support throughout the process of the appointment.

There may be opportunities to share resources with other commissioner bodies or public bodies in Scotland in order to reduce costs, for example sharing offices.

 Our question this week:

 Any new law can have a financial impact which would affect individuals, businesses, the public sector, or others. What financial impact do you think this Disability Commissioner could have if it became law?

• A large increase in costs
• Some increase in costs
• No overall change in costs
• Some reduction in costs
• A large reduction in costs
• Unsure

You can respond to our poll online: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/DisabilityCommissionerBillCosts

Your comments to this week’s poll will contribute to the Disability Equality Scotland response to the consultation. If you would like to respond directly to the consultation, visit: www.parliament.scot/bills-and-laws/proposals-for-bills/proposed-disability-for-scotland-commissioner-bill