I was pleased to help secure a significant victory in the Scottish Parliament this week, as MSPs backed a Scottish Liberal Democrat motion calling for the introduction of legislation to improve the rights and support available to people with learning disabilities, autism and neurodivergence.
The vote sends a clear message to the Scottish Government that it must honour its commitment to people and families who have waited far too long for meaningful change.
The proposed Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill was originally promised by the SNP Government and included in its Programme for Government back in 2021. Yet, after years of discussion and consultation, ministers announced in September that they were abandoning the legislation. That decision was deeply disappointing, particularly for the hundreds of individuals, families and organisations who had taken the time to share their experiences, often recounting extremely difficult and distressing situations in the hope that their voices would lead to improvements. Almost 900 responses were submitted to the consultation. Those contributions deserve more than being quietly filed away.
That’s why I was proud to support my Scottish Liberal Democrat colleague Adam Harley MSP, who led Wednesday’s debate and successfully persuaded a majority of Parliament to back bringing the legislation forward. The vote brought together MSPs from across the political spectrum, demonstrating the strength of feeling about an issue that should never be allowed to become a political football.
Why this matters for the Highlands
For people living in the Highlands, the proposed legislation could make a real difference. Earlier this year, Highland Council reported that more than 2,000 children and young people were waiting for neurodevelopmental assessments. Families are seeking answers as to why their children are struggling to access the support they need. Parents find themselves having to fight at every stage to get appropriate help.
Highland Council has agreed the next steps in a £1.2 million programme aimed at reducing the backlog and improving assessment and support. As a councillor, I voted for that investment, but we also need to ensure that public services have clear responsibilities and that families are not left navigating complicated systems on their own.
The proposed legislation could help by strengthening the duties placed on public bodies, improving staff training, providing better advocacy and ensuring that people with learning disabilities, autistic people and neurodivergent people have a stronger voice in decisions affecting their lives. It could also improve the collection of information about people’s needs, helping public services understand where support is falling short. These improvements are particularly important in rural and remote communities, where accessing specialist services can already involve lengthy journeys and where families may have fewer local options available.
Of course, legislation alone will not eliminate waiting lists or provide the additional staff and resources that services need. But stronger legal protections and clearer accountability must go hand in hand with properly funded services. Above all, getting the right support should not depend on how effectively someone, or their family, can fight their corner.
The Scottish Government must now listen
Despite Parliament’s clear decision, the First Minister has so far refused to commit to bringing the legislation back. When my party leader, Alex Cole-Hamilton, challenged John Swinney at First Minister’s Questions, he failed to give a clear answer on whether the Government would respect the vote.
That is simply not good enough.
The Scottish Government originally promised this legislation. It invited people to share their experiences, raised expectations that change was coming and then abandoned the proposals. Parliament has now given ministers an opportunity to put that right. I want to see the Government respond positively. They must work with the people and organisations who contributed to the consultation, and bring forward an effective bill that delivers meaningful improvements.
I’m proud that the Scottish Liberal Democrats have led the effort to put this legislation back on the agenda, and we will continue pressing ministers to turn Parliament’s decision into real change.