Question
Untitled item
S6W-05271 · Written Question · lodged by Briggs, Miles
Lodged on
16 Dec 2021Heard / answered on
23 Dec 2021To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the introduction of the Down Syndrome Bill to the UK Parliament by Liam Fox MP, what (a) support and (b) provisions it will provide in order to establish a national strategy to improve (i) provision and (ii) outcomes for people with Down syndrome in Scotland.
The answer
The Scottish Government wants to improve support and provisions for people with Down’s Syndrome, but also takes a wider view that this should include all people with learning disabilities, and their families.
We already have a national strategy in place to improve opportunities, outcomes and support for people with Down’s Syndrome, and their families, through the Keys to Life Learning Disability strategy and the Towards Transformation Learning Disability and Autism Plan. Both strategies send a clear message that the human rights of people with a learning disability are respected and protected and that they are empowered to live their lives, the same as everyone else.
The Scottish Budget 2022-2023 includes dedicated funding of £7 million for a range of targeted work to support these strategies and improve the lives of autistic people and/or people with learning disabilities.
Additionally, we have committed to introducing a Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Bill as part of the Programme for Government. This Bill will ensure that the rights of people with Down’s Syndrome, and others, are respected and protected.
To help make sure that the new legislation is championed when it is implemented, we will create a Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodiversity Commissioner through the new law.
We already have a national strategy in place to improve opportunities, outcomes and support for people with Down’s Syndrome, and their families, through the Keys to Life Learning Disability strategy and the Towards Transformation Learning Disability and Autism Plan. Both strategies send a clear message that the human rights of people with a learning disability are respected and protected and that they are empowered to live their lives, the same as everyone else.
The Scottish Budget 2022-2023 includes dedicated funding of £7 million for a range of targeted work to support these strategies and improve the lives of autistic people and/or people with learning disabilities.
Additionally, we have committed to introducing a Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Bill as part of the Programme for Government. This Bill will ensure that the rights of people with Down’s Syndrome, and others, are respected and protected.
To help make sure that the new legislation is championed when it is implemented, we will create a Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodiversity Commissioner through the new law.
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 23 Dec 2021.