Jeremy Balfour, the only openly disabled MSP, has criticised the decision made by three parties to oppose an amendment to the Transport Bill.
The amendment proposed by Michelle Ballantyne MSP would have meant that people in receipt of a disability living allowance; a personal independence payment; or disability assistance, would have been exempt from paying for workplace parking license.
However, the amendment was rejected, with 47 MSPs voting in favour and 65 voting against. The SNP, the Greens and the Liberal Democrats all voted against.
In a debate in the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday, Mr Balfour expressed his concerns that if an employer had to pay for a disabled employees parking permit they would simply choose not to employ a disabled person.
The Conservative and Unionist MSP spoke of his disappointment:
“By opposing this amendment, the parliament have failed disabled people who are not able to take public transport to work.
“As a person with a disability I am outraged that the SNP, the Greens and the Liberal Democrats have chosen to adopt a policy that will disadvantage disabled people who want to work.
“The Scottish Government claim to support inclusion and diversity; however, their actions say the opposite.”
“This is a tax on disabled people.”