Campaigners ‘upset and angry’ by decision not to follow through with the Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill.
‘We are committed to protecting, respecting and championing the rights of people with learning disabilities and neurodivergent people,’ said the Scottish government in December 2023, as it launched a consultation on how best to achieve this through a proposed new Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill.
As well as that consultation, in 2025 three advisory panels were held on proposed new legislation. In March this year, the Scottish government published a policy paper, suggesting that the bill would include a statutory national strategy and local delivery plans, statutory guidance, mandatory training for public sector staff, improved data collection, independent advocacy, options for enhanced accountability, and measures covering such matters as complex care and delayed discharge, communications support needs in justice settings, and so on.
Of course, that we before the general election held in May. Now, the new government has decided not to proceed with the bill.
The National Autistic Society says the decision has left autistic people and their families ‘upset and angry.’ In a statement, the charity said:
‘In Scotland, autistic people are still more likely to face unemployment, be socially isolated, not receive an education, experience physical and mental health problems, and die younger than non-autistic people. The LDAN bill sought to address many of these issues by taking a whole-life approach, and improving experiences across social security, education, health and social care, transport, justice and many more.
‘In the absence of the bill, there is no national plan to remedy the systemic injustices autistic people continue to face. We are particularly dismayed that two pillars of the Bill – mandatory training in the public sector and requirements for national and local government to publish strategies – are completely absent from the Scottish government’s plans.
‘We understand that many people will be confused and dismayed at this decision from the Scottish government, and we would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has campaigned with us. Your hard work has led to important commitments, including action on Additional Support Needs and diagnosis pathways, both of which were key asks from our Act Now for Autistic Rights campaign.’
The charity said it will be proactive and constructive in holding the government to account in taking effective and immediate action on these commitments.
Another charity, SWAN Autism, says: ‘We are deeply disappointed by this decision. We know that there were differing views across our community about particular elements of the proposed Bill. SWAN, alongside many other autistic-led organisations and organisations supporting neurodivergent people and their families, worked over several years to inform its development, advocate for changes and create opportunities for as many people as possible to contribute through consultations, focus groups and other forms of engagement.
Many autistic people and their families gave their time, energy and trust to this process. Some shared deeply personal and traumatic experiences in the hope that the Bill would lead to meaningful change, stronger protection of people’s rights and greater accountability.
‘Although the LDAN bill will no longer proceed, the inequalities and barriers it sought to address remain. As does our commitment to challenging them. SWAN will continue to work with our community, the Scottish Government and other partners towards meaningful and lasting change.’
Photo by Chris Flexen / Unsplash
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