by BILL HEANEY
The SNP has faced criticism for ditching plans to deliver new legislation to support people with learning disabilities and neurodivergent people, including autistic people and those with ADHD.
In 2021, the SNP government promised to bring forward a Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Bill, pledging that the bill would “uphold and protect the rights of people with autism or learning disabilities”.
However, this legislation was kicked into the long grass last term and dropped from the Scottish Government’s legislative programme in this week’s Programme for Government.
Maree Todd confirmed to stakeholders this week that the legislation would not be going ahead, noting that “many stakeholders have invested significant time, expertise and resource in the development of the Bill and may be disappointed by this decision” and acknowledging that “many people viewed legislation as an important mechanism for securing lasting change and strengthening accountability”.
Labour spokesperson for Community Care Joe Long and SNP Minister Maree Todd.
Scottish Labour spokesperson for Community Care Joe Long said “This Bill was an opportunity to address the unmet needs, rights and poorer life outcomes of highly marginalised communities and the Scottish Government’s decision to drop it is deeply disappointing.
“People with learning disabilities, autistic and other neurodivergent people are too often let down by public services that do not work for them, and they have been let down again by the Scottish Government’s decision to abandon this legislation.
“Stakeholders, experts and, most importantly, people with lived experience have put years of work into developing this legislation. They have given their time, shared their stories, and shared their trauma.
“John Swinney should reconsider this decision, or set out exactly how his government will rebuild trust with these communities and deliver the changes we need to see.”