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The LDAN Bill is Set to Return to the Policy Agenda
Yesterday, for the first time since the LDAN process began, MSPs had the opportunity to consider the principle of new legislation.
And their message was clear: the Scottish Government should make good on its own commitment and introduce a Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill to the Scottish Parliament.
Throughout the debate we heard MSPs speak to the necessity of legislative remedies for the systemic challenges neurodivergent people and families face. Miles Briggs MSP contribution noted that, in absence of a Bill, the Scottish Government’s programme does not effectively address the scale of the challenges that impact all neurodivergent people and families. Joe Long MSP stressed that we are not in an either/or situation; action and legislation need not be mutually exclusive. Urgent improvement of services can, and must, be undertaken while strategic, system-wide accountability and change are put on a sustainable statutory footing.
We’d like to recognise, too, that the debate included powerful, and in many cases deeply personal, contributions from MSPs across all parties. We’d like, in particular, to pay tribute to Daniel Johnson MSP and Karen Adam MSP, who shared their lived experience as neurodivergent people. It’s clear that, regardless of party or perspective, there is a real appetite in Parliament for transformative change.
In September, the Scottish Government chose to shelve the LDAN Bill. People with lived experience – and now our Parliament, too – have had their say on that setback. It is now up to the Scottish Government to reflect on next steps and consider when and how they will bring legislation forward.
The Donaldson Trust will continue to advocate with and for neurodivergent people and families, calling for a robust and transformative Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill.
You can read the full text of the motion – by the Scottish Liberal Democrats, with unanimous support from each of the opposition parties here.
