Scots offered right to buy

All disabled Scottish people will have the right to buy
essential services by 2003.

Malcolm Chisholm, deputy minister for community care, announced
that £530,000 is to be allocated over the next two years to
encourage uptake of direct payments. The funds will be given to
Update, which will develop local user-led support groups, increase
awareness of direct payments at a local and national level and
provide feedback to the Scottish executive.

Jim Elder-Woodward, convenor of the Scottish Personal Assistant
Employers Network, said: “Direct payments allow disabled people to
lead a life each one of us wants to lead.”