SNP government must introduce new bill for disabilities, autism and neurodivergence

On Wednesday 28th October, Scottish Liberal Democrats will lead a parliamentary debate calling for a new law to protect people with learning disabilities, autism and neurodivergence, after the SNP government abandoned promised 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 Learning Disabilities, Autism, and Neurodivergence Bill, however, was scrapped by John Swinney last month.

The proposed bill would have created greater accountability by imposing stronger duties on public bodies, improving data collection and advocacy support. It would have created a dedicated statutory framework, similar to the Autism Act in England, alongside mandatory training for key public sector staff, bringing Scotland in line with measures already adopted elsewhere in the UK.

The bill’s consultation generated almost 900 responses, with many people sharing traumatic stories about their own experiences.

The same consultation 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:

“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.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Duncan Dunlop MSP said:

“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.

“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.”