New neurodivergence law needed as disabled people feel ‘betrayed’ – Lib Dems

The Scottish Liberal Democrats have said many disabled people feel “deeply betrayed by the Scottish Government” as they call for a new law to protect people with learning disabilities, autism and neurodivergence.

On Wednesday Scottish Liberal Democrats will lead a parliamentary debate calling for the new law after the Scottish government announced it would abandoned legislation last month.

In 2021, the SNP made a manifesto promise to introduce a new law to protect disabled people.

This same promise was included in their Programme for Government for 2021-22.

The proposed Learning Disabilities, Autism, and Neurodivergence Bill was scrapped by John Swinney last month.

Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Duncan Dunlop MSP said many disabled people feel “deeply betrayed” by the Scottish Government.

“After five years of sharing their stories and shaping this bill, many disabled people feel deeply betrayed by the Scottish Government.

“The SNP have offered up no alternative plan or timetable, effectively abandoning the very people that this legislation was designed to help,” he said.

He continued: “Improving outcomes should be an imperative, not just an aspiration, and the single most effective way of ensuring that is by introducing legislation.

“It’s also how we can level up protections in Scotland with those in the rest of the UK because we are currently trailing behind.”

The proposed bill aimed to create greater accountability by imposing stronger duties on public bodies, improving data collection and advocacy support.

The bill’s consultation generated almost 900 responses and estimated that people with learning disabilities comprise 10-15% of Scotland’s population, but existing data is incomplete and the true figure is likely higher.

Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Adam Harley MSP said that he believes both policy and legislation is needed.

He said: “People with learning disabilities, autism and other neurodivergent conditions continue to face significant barriers across healthcare, education, employment and public services.

“Tackling those barriers requires us to enshrine protections into law, making sure that changes are consistent, clear and lasting.

“This is not a black and white choice between legislation and policy, we need both.

“The Government should be focused on investing in services and support, as well as legislating to ensure there is proper accountability.

“Most of the hard work on this bill has already been done.

“It is time now for parliament to come together, do the right thing and finally get this legislation over the line.”

Minister for Mental Wellbeing Maree Todd said: “I recently updated Parliament on the difficult decision we took not to progress the Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence (LDAN) Bill at this time.

“This decision was informed by the views and lived experience evidence submitted through development of the Bill which highlighted that urgent action is needed now through policy reform, service improvement and targeted investment, rather than waiting for legislation, which would take a number of years to progress and implement.”

“It is vital we be honest and transparent with people in the LDAN community about what cannot be achieved through legislation.

“As MSPs are aware, we have already committed to retaining the option of future legislation should evidence show that additional statutory measures are required to achieve the outcomes that people expect and deserve.”