Question reference: S6W-10373
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 17 August 2022
-
Current status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 5 September 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce legislation to appoint a commissioner for autism, learning disabilities and people with neurodivergence.
Answer
The Scottish Government wants to improve opportunities, outcomes and support for autistic people, people with learning disabilities, and neurodivergent people. To this end, we have committed to introducing a Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Bill. This Bill will ensure that the rights of autistic people, people with learning disabilities, and neurodivergent people are respected and protected.
To help make sure the new legislation is championed when it is implemented, we intend to consult on the creation of a Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Commissioner through the new law.
Further details about the timing of the public consultation on the Bill will be announced in the Programme for Government in September 2022.
A decision on the timing of the Bill’s introduction to Parliament will be taken by Cabinet in the context of setting the content of future legislative programmes.