Issues faced by neurodivergent people must be urgently addressed, says Holyrood committee
Challenges faced by people with neurodivergence should be addressed “without delay” according to MSPs on Holyrood’s Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee.
The Committee launched the inquiry after the delay to the Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill. Having held formal and informal sessions in light of this delay, the Committee agreed to focus on the challenges facing neurodivergent people in education, work and the criminal justice system
Throughout the inquiry the Committee heard about the importance of, and difficulty of getting, a diagnosis of a neurodivergent condition.
Dr Jim Crabb from the Royal College of Psychiatrists told the Committee that “[A] diagnosis can be incredibly powerful and validating; for some people, it can be life saving”, while Karbie Brook, from ARGH Scotland, told MSPs that prior to diagnosis: “I simply thought that I was a broken human, that I was no good at being human and that I did not really deserve to be here because what use was I anyway.”
The Committee also heard that, in some situations, delays to diagnosis had led to people taking their own lives and concludes that this situation is “completely unacceptable”.
In its report, the Committee warns that, with 43 percent of children in Scottish schools having an additional support need, action must be taken so that neurodivergence is not seen as a deficit.
The Committee says that it is essential for young people to receive a diagnosis early in life and calls for the Government to ensure that there is a long-term strategy and funding to ensure that Scotland has the workforce needed to be able to respond to the demand for diagnoses.
The report also explores the implementation gap between Scottish Government policies and the lived experience of witnesses. The Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing told the Committee that the Government was now recalibrating systems due to an unforeseen increase in demand.
While the Committee welcomes this, it urges the Government to speak to people with lived experience to ensure services meet the needs of neurodivergent people.
"For neurodivergent people, we want Scotland to be a welcoming place, but also a place that uplifts, that supports and ensures that they can thrive in whatever they want to do…"
— Equalities, Human Rights & Civil Justice Committee (@SP_EHRCJ) March 20, 2026
Karen Adam MSP, Convener of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee said:“Some of the testimony that we heard during this inquiry was devastating and, as we say in our report, as a country we cannot carry on like this.
“Our inquiry has found that we must fundamentally change as a society. The Scottish Government must act urgently so that our public services understand distress, communication and difference properly, so that we can intervene early, reduce harm, and support better outcomes across education, health, employment and justice.
“I am also grateful to all those we heard from during our inquiry. We repeatedly heard about the barriers, stigma and discrimination faced by neurodivergent people, but having their views on the record shone a light on the scale of the problem.”
POLICE are appealing for help to trace Tyrone Nicholson, 54, who has been reported missing from Edinburgh.
Tyrone was last seen in the Restalrig area around 2.30pm on Friday, 20 March, 2026.
He is described as white, 6ft 2in tall, with short brown hair.
Inspector Iona Cory said: “We’re concerned for Tyrone’s welfare and are urgently trying to trace him to ensure he’s safe and well.
“Officers are carrying out a number of enquiries but I’m also asking for the public’s help. Do you know Tyrone and have any information on where he might be? Or do you think you’ve seen him since Friday afternoon? If you do, please come forward.
“Tyrone, if you see this appeal, please make contact with police so we can ensure you’re safe and well.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting reference 0906 of 21 March.
Senior figures from across Scottish public life have been appointed to develop proposals for a permanent memorial in Scotland to remember Queen Elizabeth.
The Scotland Legacy Group brings together specialist expertise and subject matter experts to make recommendations to the First Minister who will then discuss the fitting permanent memorial project with His Majesty The King.
Appointees to the Group are:
Dr Joseph Morrow, The Right Honourable the Lord Lyon King of Arms (Chair)
Dr Anna Keay OBE; Member of the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, and Director of the Landmark Trust
Professor Chandrika Kaul, Professor of Modern History, University of St Andrews
Lt Col (retired) Johnny Stewart, Lord Lieutenant of Clackmannanshire
Leonie Bell, Director of V&A Dundee
Anne Lyden, Director General, National Galleries of Scotland
Helen Webster, Deputy Director for Cabinet, Parliament and Governance & Secretary for Commissions, Scottish Government
Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “Queen Elizabeth meant so much to so many people in Scotland and it is right that we pay tribute to her remarkable 70-year reign and life of public service.
“The scenes as Her Majesty’s cortege made the journey from Balmoral Castle, where she died, to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, demonstrated how much she was loved in the country where she spent so much of her private time.
“I am very grateful to the Group for taking this opportunity to deliver a fitting tribute from the people of Scotland to Her Majesty The Queen.”
Dr Joseph Morrow, Lord Lyon and Chair of the Scotland Legacy Group said: “I am honoured to have the opportunity to develop and advise on a Scottish memorial to Queen Elizabeth to celebrate her extraordinary reign and dedicated life of public service.
“I am determined to create the space for a truly Scottish memorial and delighted to be working alongside such a talented group of individuals to do so.
“The group will engage with communities across the country to allow us to envisage a Scottish memorial and a lasting symbol of remembrance and gratitude for the late Queen.
“Queen Elizabeth had a deep affinity for Scotland, and it is a privilege to create a legacy that can inspire generations to come.”
£500,000 funding of digital development for world’s largest performing arts festival
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society will receive £500,000 to help support ongoing digital transformation work, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has announced.
A new website is being developed to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the Fringe next year. The funding will also ensure the Fringe Society can continue its work supporting Scottish artists and the sector, while promoting international opportunities for artists at the Fringe.
The Deputy First Minister said: “The Scottish Government has an ongoing commitment to safeguard the future of the Edinburgh Fringe and support it to flourish, built on the principle of free access for all.
“As one of Scotland’s signature events the Fringe has grown to become the world’s largest performing arts festival – a major economic contributor to Edinburgh, and Scotland as a whole, and one of our country’s most significant national and international cultural assets.
“As we approach the 80th anniversary of the Fringe next year, this investment will provide a foundation to expand its global reach and the ongoing work with organisations who play an important role in making the Fringe the annual success it is – in particularly collective efforts focused on long term sustainability to both the Fringe Society and the Fringe as a whole.”
Tony Lankester, Chief Executive, Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society said: “The ongoing support for the work of the Fringe Society from the Scottish Government will go a long way to shoring up our resilience and builds on their previous investment.
“The Society’s work in future-proofing the Fringe with world-class digital and data infrastructure is a critical imperative – with this foundation, these ambitions can be more readily realised and the future more secure.
“We’ve made giant strides over the last year and this announcement helps us build on that work, delivering even more for the Fringe community, ensuring the festival remains a jewel in Scotland’s creative crown.”
This funding builds upon £300,000 of support provided by the Scottish Government in 2025/26.
New initiative will support local areas to reimagine and revive their struggling high streets
Communities are set to see their areas transformed through a £319 million investment announced today, as part of the Pride in Place strategy to restore pride and opportunity in neighbourhoods across the country.
The investment is delivered through four clear strands:
High streets reinvigorated – A £301 million commitment to High Streets Innovation Partnerships will support local communities to reimagine and revive struggling high streets and make them fit for the future.
Through these partnerships, town centres could be transformed into mixed-use spaces with new homes, health services, libraries, community hubs and green spaces.
Local businesses and other organisations will be encouraged to get involved, with locations confirmed in due course.
Funding will also support a summer of activity on high streets this year, with innovative measures to boost footfall — just as areas are set to benefit from major culture and sporting events including the World Cup.
Safe places for children to play – A further £18 million will be spent ensuring children in 66 of the most deprived communities have quality play spaces, with cash earmarked to buy new or upgrade playgrounds across the country from Tyneside to Torquay.
Areas with the highest income deprivation affecting children and the poorest access to play were chosen, to ensure money goes to places that need it most.
Local progress accelerated – Plans are also moving forward for areas in the first phase of Pride in Place, providing communities £20 million over 10 years to spend on what matters most to them and kickstarting a wave of regeneration across the country.
Tearing up the rulebook on public spend2ing – Five projects will test a new initiative to get local agencies such as councils, the NHS and schools to pool their cash and work together instead of operating in silos.
The projects will tackle the SEND challenge in Liverpool, prevent youth offending in the North East, support teenagers struggling with their mental health in the Black Country, help adults facing multiple disadvantage in Doncaster, and get young people into work in West Yorkshire.
If it works, the government intends to roll this model out nationwide.
Taken together, this marks the latest step forward in the government’s mission to restore pride in communities across the country and put power back in the hands of people with skin in the game.
Communities Secretary Steve Reed said: “People have watched their communities decline for too long, with little say over how they’re run. This government is determined to change that — giving communities the tools, the funding and the power they need to rebuild.
“From new playgrounds to reimagined high streets, we’re putting power back in people’s hands. People across the country will see and feel the difference this investment makes, restoring pride in local areas.”
Funding for playgrounds will flow straight to local areas, with no requirements to bid or compete against other places. Councils receiving funding will also be encouraged to consider buying British materials.
Pride in Place areas pressing ahead with their plans today include:
In Canvey Island, where the community plan puts the cost-of-living front and centre – with funding directed at a stronger town centre, better local health services, more for young people to do, and improved job opportunities and wages.
In Clifton, a new community hub at the heart of their neighbourhood will be built – a focal point for local services, activities and support. The funding will also improve parks, strengthen the high street, and open up new opportunities for young people.
In Dewsbury, the Neighbourhood Board is funding the establishment of an enforcement and prevention team to address crime and anti-social behaviour.
In Dudley, 15 trusted community representatives have been trained to lead conversations in their own networks, reaching residents who might not engage through traditional routes – building community power from day one.
In Durham, the funding will create a ’children and young people’s fund’ and support local businesses to invest in street safety and active travel.
In Eastbourne, the plan centres on bringing empty and neglected buildings back into use — giving them new purpose for the community. Funding will also target deprived neighbourhoods, revitalise the town centre and seafront, and create better opportunities for local people.
In Greenock, a new Enterprise Hub will give start-ups and growing businesses a base to thrive — backed by investment in skills, heritage, town centre living, and place branding to attract residents, visitors and investors.
In Leigh, young people are firmly in the driving seat, with strong youth leadership, extensive local engagement and clear power-sharing embedded from the start.
In Torquay, residents are driving improvements to streets, the town centre, and skills and training.
In Wrexham, the funding will go towards a new youth zone and making the town centre safer and more welcoming for everyone.
This funding package was first confirmed at the Budget by the Chancellor.
The 66 communities receiving playground funding are:
Sandwell, Walsall, Dudley, Salford, Tameside, Wolverhampton, Redcar and Cleveland, Bolton, Oldham, Wirral, Rotherham, South Tyneside, Stockton-on-Tees, Tendring, Knowsley, North East Lincolnshire, Hyndburn, Blackpool, East Lindsey, Thanet, Middlesbrough, Castle Point, Pendle, Trafford, Sunderland, Rochdale, Preston, Manchester, Stockport, Wyre, North Tyneside, Medway, Hartlepool, Sefton, St. Helens, County Durham, Dover, Blackburn with Darwen, Havant, Bradford, Wigan, Bury, Doncaster, Wakefield, Calderdale, Fenland, Bassetlaw, Kirklees, Darlington, Isle of Wight, North Northamptonshire, Torbay, Nuneaton and Bedworth, Eastbourne, Mansfield, Northumberland, Ashfield, Barnsley, Wychavon, Cheshire East, Canterbury, Hastings, Halton, Lincoln, West Lancashire, Southend-on-Sea (i.e none in Scotland).
The ALLIANCE manifesto for the 2026 Scottish Parliament Election sets out our blueprint for the future of health and social care.
Ahead of the 2026 Scottish Parliament election, the ALLIANCE and our members call for all political parties to make several commitments, including to renew social care.
To do this, we call on parties to:
Develop national oversight and scrutiny of social care to end the postcode lottery and improve standards, access, quality and accountability.
Reform commissioning and procurement to take a collaborative and human rights based approach.
Abolish non-residential care charges.
Substantially increase financial investment in social care, to ensure demand is met and third sector providers are adequately funded.
Joint Statement from the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the USA and the High Representative of the EU
We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union, express support to our partners in the region in the face of the unjustifiable attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran and its proxies.
We condemn in the strongest terms the regime’s reckless attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, including energy infrastructure, in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Iraq, in line with UNSC Resolution 2817.
The Iranian regime’s unjustifiable attacks against these states also threaten regional and global security. We call for the immediate and unconditional cessation of all attacks by the Iranian regime.
We reaffirm the importance of safeguarding maritime routes, and safety of navigation, including in the Strait of Hormuz and all associated critical waterways, as well as the safety and security of supply chains and the stability of energy markets. We stand ready to take necessary measures to support global supply of energy such as the stockpile release decided by International Energy Agency members on March 11.
The G7 has repeatedly stated that Iran must never obtain a nuclear weapon and that it must halt its ballistic missile program, end its destabilizing activities in the region and around the globe, and cease the appalling violence and repression against its own people.
We support the right of the countries unjustifiably attacked by Iran or by Iranian proxies to defend their territories and protect their citizens. We reaffirm our unwavering support for their security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
We condemn the brazen attacks in Iraq by Iran and its militias against diplomatic facilities and energy infrastructure, particularly in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, and against U.S. and Counter ISIS Coalition forces, and the Iraqi people.
Here’s a listing of all of our fantastic weekly classes, events, and cafes:
**** NEW MONDAY CAFE **** Currently every Monday 9-11am. Drop in for a cuppa, sausage roll, or bakery. Come and meet locals, hang out in our beautiful space, or volunteer for a couple of hours for that feel good factor.
How can we reduce the prejudice and judgement that’s too-often placed on people on low incomes?
Our research team worked with SPIRU at Glasgow Caledonian University and the Wales Centre for Public Policy | Canolfan Polisi Cyhoeddus Cymru to see what the evidence says.
The first part of a Framework Agreement to support the delivery of new, affordable homes in Edinburgh, worth around £350m, is now live.
The City of Edinburgh Council’s four-year New Build Housing Framework Agreement will provide an efficient route to procure the construction of new build housing. This will help tackle the city’s housing emergency by aiding the Council’s ambition to deliver 25,000 affordable homes.
Lot 1, the first of two lots encompassed by the Framework, was approved by Finance and Resources Committee in January and, after a mandatory standstill period, is now live. The Lot is split into three sub-Lots based upon the size of prospective sites – one to 30 homes, 31 to 100 homes and 100+ homes. By splitting Lot 1 into sub-Lots the Council aimed to encourage greater participation from Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), reducing overall reliance on a small number of contractors.
Now that successful contractors have been awarded a place under the Agreement, the Council can progress housebuilding projects with them more quickly, without the need for a full tender process each time.
Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, Councillor Tim Pogson, said: “We’re fully committed to addressing the housing emergency in Edinburgh, pledging a record £1.6bn to housebuilding in this year’s budget, helping to realise our ambition to build 25,000 new affordable homes across the city.
“Procuring the right contractors to deliver these homes can take time, so I’m pleased that Lot 1 of the New Build Housing Framework Agreement is now in place, helping to streamline the process and letting us tackle the issue at pace.
“Our Procurement Service’s innovative approach to the Framework has opened opportunities to a broader range of contractors, including SMEs, increasing capacity for house building projects.”
Lot 2 will focus on collaboration, allowing the Council to work with other partners to jointly procure sites to achieve economies of scale.
A further award report for Lot 2 will be presented to Finance and Resources Committee in the coming months. Contracts awarded under both Lots of the New Build Housing Framework Agreement are valued in total at an estimated £600m.
A robust tender process carried out by Commercial and Procurement Services involved engagement with the market and attracted 22 responses across both Lots.
According to the Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA3) for the South-East Scotland area, there is demand for between 36,000 and 52,000 new homes in Edinburgh between 2021 to 2040, between 24,000 and 35,000 of which need to be affordable.
