Consultation on Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill
Views are being sought on proposals to better protect, respect and champion the rights of people with learning disabilities, autistic and neurodivergent people.
The Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill consultation includes proposals that would provide benefits in many areas of life, including more inclusive communications and mandatory training in the public sector to address the stigma and barriers people often face.
Mental Health Minister Maree Todd said: “People with learning disabilities, autistic people and neurodivergent people make up around 15% of our society and many of them think and see the world differently. This shouldn’t cause them to be stigmatised and disadvantaged and the Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that their rights are respected.
“This public consultation has been designed alongside people with lived experience, and we have worked closely with third sector organisations and support providers to ensure those who know the challenges best are at the heart of any action we take.
“I am keen to hear views from as many people as possible on our proposals. I am confident that, together, we can build a fairer Scotland for all.”
Hannah Roussel and Jim Gault, Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP), co-Chairs said: “This public consultation marks what we hope will be a significant milestone on the journey towards the fair and inclusive society Scotland aspires to be.
“If we get this right, Scotland has the opportunity to become a leading light, not just in the UK, but across the world. We are grateful to the Scottish Government for involving all of us on the LEAP so committedly, seeking always to place the voice of those with lived experience at the heart of this process.
“We on the LEAP are agreed that the status quo is not an option; there must be accountability, people with lived experience must be included, and what benefits us benefits all.
“We urge everyone to seize this unique opportunity to help define the Scotland we all aspire to build here and now, and for generations to come, by engaging with and responding to this consultation.”
With a commitment to continuous improvement, the Scottish Parliament is actively exploring new Gaelic resources for its website users and social media followers. As part of this initiative, the Parliament is seeking input on potential offerings.
This work follows the recent approval of The Scottish Parliament’s latest Gaelic Language Plan for 2023 to 2028 by Bòrd na Gàidhlig. The Plan lays out the commitments to supporting and promoting the use of Gaelic within the organisation.
Since the Gaelic Language Act was passed in 2005, public bodies like the Scottish Parliament need to prepare a Gaelic Language Plan every 5 years.
Earlier in 2023, the Scottish Parliament sought public input on its proposed Plan. The consultation received a range of responses, from fluent Gaelic speakers, those learning the language, and others with an interest in the language. Most of the responses expressed approval for the existing plans with some valuable new suggestions also contributed.
“Over 120 people helped us with shaping our approach to Gaelic over the next five years,” said Dr Alasdair MacCaluim, the Scottish Parliament’s Gaelic Development Officer.
“The Parliament extends its gratitude to all participants for their valuable contributions. We now want to understand what Gaelic resources our audience would find most useful going forward.”
“For example, do you have an interest in Gaelic podcasts? Would you be interested in subscribing to a monthly Gaelic newsletter? Are you currently following our Gaelic Twitter account (ParlAlba)? We’d love to hear from you.”
Ealasaid MacDonald, Ceannard (CEO) of Bòrd na Gàidhlig said: “It is important that public sector bodies like the Scottish Parliament are taking seriously the principle that Gaelic belongs to the whole of Scotland and are championing the promotion of a positive image of Gaelic, increasing the learning of Gaelic, and increasing the use of Gaelic.”
You can share your thoughts with the Scottish Parliament’s Gaelic team by emailing gaidhlig@parliament.scot
The Scottish Government has published their consultation paper on planned Heat in Buildings legislation which sets out a path for how best to deliver greener, warmer homes for Scotland.
The Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenant’s Rights, Patrick Harvie, recently visited Granton to see heat networks being set up for the new developments on the Waterfront.
The systems and homes being built in Granton are examples of what could be rolled out across Scotland – greener energy, lower bills and no fossil fuels.
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Green Councillor for Forth Ward, Kayleigh O’Neill said: “This is another major milestone in the Granton Waterfront project. Over £1 billion has gone into helping a community become well connected and no longer reliant on fossil fuels. This is a massive step towards tacking climate change and transitioning the city, and country, to net-zero.”
Cllr. O’Neill added: “Over the next ten years we will also see more affordable housing being built and care taken towards our urban coastal green spaces. We have to be ambitious and put people and planet first in all future developments.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transition towards a greener economy. Granton Waterfront will set the standard for sustainable growth and show how we can live without fossil fuels.”
The consultation will run until 8 March 2024, then responses will be scrutinised and a final decision made on when to publish a Bill in the Scottish Parliament to pass in 2025.
A Holyrood Committee visited a building with potentially dangerous cladding in the Leith area on Tuesday this week to meet with residents and hold talks with a fire safety expert.
The visit followed the launch of a call for views on legislation which would give Scottish Ministers new powers to assess and remediate buildings in Scotland with unsafe cladding, following the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire.
The Scottish Parliament’s Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee, which is leading scrutiny of the plans, is now encouraging other people in Edinburgh, who live in or own properties with potentially dangerous cladding, to respond to the public consultation on the Scottish Government’s Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Bill.
The legislation seeks to give Scottish Ministers powers to assess and remediate buildings with unsafe cladding, including where consent of the owners cannot be provided.
Under proposals in the Bill, the Scottish Government would also create and maintain a Cladding Assurance Register to give residents confidence about the assessment and works undertaken once those buildings are remediated.
The Bill would also give Ministers the power to establish a Responsible Developers Scheme, to support engagement by developers and encourage them to pay for or carry out remediation work.
Such a scheme would likely include agreement to pay for remediation costs by developers, with potential sanctions for developers that are eligible but do not join or fail to comply with the terms of membership.
As the Scottish Government has not carried out public consultation on the Bill, the Committee’s call for views will be critical in providing stakeholders including owners and residents of properties in buildings with potentially unsafe cladding, developers, insurers, surveyors, and fire safety experts an opportunity to comment on the proposals.
The call for views is now open and runs until Friday 8th December 2023.
Following the visit, Committee Convener, Ariane Burgess MSP, said: “Cladding was a major contributing factor to the fire which destroyed Grenfell Tower in June 2017, one of the UK’s worst modern disasters, and we want people in Edinburgh to have their say on this new Bill.
“Visiting a property affected by cladding alongside one of Scotland’s leading fire safety experts gave us a real insight into the risks that residents are currently forced to live with and the substantial challenges behind the remediation work needed in buildings like the one we visited, right across the country.
“Meeting with Edinburgh residents living in a property with potentially unsafe cladding allowed us to discuss the impact this is having on them financially through increased insurance rates and the increased levels of anxiety and fear that comes along with living with the heightened fire risks.
“As our consultation is the only opportunity for the public to comment on the proposals in the new Bill, we are encouraging people in Edinburgh who live in or own properties with potentially dangerous cladding to respond before the 8th December.
“The Committee understands the urgency in addressing the issue of unsafe cladding, and this Bill represents a critical step towards achieving safer conditions for all those affected in the Lothian area.”
Chartered Building Surveyor and fire safety expert, Phil Diamond, who accompanied the Committee on the visit said: “It was good to see Brooker Diamond’s involvement in North Edinburgh recognised by the committee’s visit.
“We carried out the Single Building Assessment which is a very complex process and the development posed many varied challenges which will require a comprehensive scheme of remediation.
“We look forward to contributing to the assessment programme and remediation of more blocks across Scotland and help to make homes safer as part of the future work flowing from the Cladding Remediation Bill.”
HOLYROOD COMMITTEE HEARS OF CONCERNS FIRST HAND FROM HOME OWNERS AFFECTED IN EDINBURGH
The site visit by the entire committee charged with leading scrutiny of this Bill, gave credence to the seriousness of their intent to ensure that the proposals are properly understood and reviewed by the MSPs.
The urgent and important need to address the issues in domestic residential accommodation, of risk to life and property, is recognised by the introduction of this bill in an expedited process.
If approved by the Scottish Parliament, then the Royal Assent could be on or before 24 July 2024. It could then have a commencement date at the beginning of September 2024.
Chris Ashurst – the Group Coordinator of High Rise Scotland Action Group said: “ I wholeheartedly welcome the committee’s pro-active efforts to understand the concerns, experiences and perspectives of those living in ‘high-rise’ homes.
“It is their safety physical and mental, and the safety of their homes and property which is and must be the supreme concern of the legislator, and must shape the new law.
“Owners have been able to express: –
their dismay at suggestions that the very builders who caused the problems, might instruct their own appointed surveyors and professional advisors to decide what defects need to be remedied and, or, decide on and implement their own remediation or mitigation measures.
The conflict of interest and the financial liability could, (and would be) seen by owners as reason to mistrust and doubt the integrity of any such assessment or plan. It remains to be seen what confidence lenders and insurers would place in such a process
The feeling that the revised criteria introduced in December 2021 are too rigid, and that no building would be able to satisfy them. The frustration on the part of some that the widened brief had exceeded the original one to an unacceptable degree and that there should be some element of grading of risk, based on an assessor’s professional assessment of any risk.
“I wholeheartedly endorse the request from the Convenor of the Committee that owners should make submit their views in the consultation to them by Friday 8 December using the links provided.”
Further discussions to be held on reducing alcohol harm
The Scottish Government will hold more talks with public health stakeholders and the alcohol industry early next year to discuss ways of limiting young people’s exposure to alcohol promotions.
The development comes following publication of the Scottish Government’s recent consultation analysis on restricting alcohol advertising and promotions.
The report shows the majority of individuals and most organisations with links to the alcohol industry thought the proposals as set out would not achieve the intended outcomes of reducing alcohol consumption and alcohol harm, and/or were disproportionate to the scale of the problem. However, there were high levels of agreement with the proposals among public health, third sector, local authorities and academic organisations.
Following targeted stakeholder engagement, the public will be asked for their views on a narrower range of proposals which take into account the views expressed and international public health evidence, including a recommendation from the World Health Organization (WHO) that restricting alcohol marketing is one of the most cost-effective ways of tackling alcohol harm.
Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister Elena Whitham said: “My sympathy goes to all those affected by the loss of a loved one through alcohol.
“We’re determined to reduce the harm caused by alcohol, particularly to young people, while minimising any impacts on Scotland’s world class drinks industry or tourism sector.
“International evidence shows that alcohol marketing increases the likelihood that children and young people will start to drink alcohol or, if they already drink alcohol, drink more, while young people and their families have told us that they want us to take action.
“While almost all responses to the consultation acknowledged that children and young people should not be exposed to alcohol advertising and promotions, it is clear there are a range of views on how this might be achieved. Since the consultation was launched, the First Minister and other Ministers have engaged with a wide range of businesses and stakeholders.
“So we will continue to engage with all interested parties on specific, narrower, proposals that meet our aims. I’m confident this collaborative approach will ensure that we develop policies understanding the full range of opportunities and impacts.”
A consultation looking at whether cowardly domestic killers should receive tougher sentences if they subject their victims to a campaign of coercive and controlling abuse, has been launched by the Lord Chancellor
Public conversation launched on reforming murder sentencing
Consultation to consider raising starting points for killings with a history of coercive and controlling abuse or with a weapon
Move latest step in UK Government’s plan to tackle domestic abuse and violence against women and girls
Ministers will also consider whether murderers who use a knife or another weapon already at the crime scene to kill should also face steeper starting points – a change that could result in higher minimum terms in these cases.
Every year, around 90 people – overwhelmingly women – are killed by their current or ex-partner, with most of these murders taking place in the home. And when a weapon is used – often a kitchen knife – it is normally already at the scene.
This means that although weapons are used, these offences generally do not qualify for a higher starting point – with a discrepancy of up to ten years compared with murders where a weapon is taken to the scene.
Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Alex Chalk said: “It is shocking that around 1 in 4 murders are committed by a current or former partner, or relative.
“This Government has already gone further than ever to protect women and girls, with tough new protection orders plus laws to ensure abusers and killers spend longer behind bars.
“To make sure sentencing policy is meeting the threat, it is right to review this complex landscape so that the scourge of violence against women is tackled as coherently and effectively as possible.”
Currently, when a knife or other weapon is taken to the murder scene with intent, the starting point is 25 years. This reflects the increased risk to the public when knives are carried on the streets. Where a knife is used, but not taken to the scene, a 15-year starting point normally applies.
Campaigners on this issue include Carole Gould and Julie Devey, whose daughters Ellie Gould and Poppy Devey Waterhouse were killed by their former partners using knives found in the home.
Justice Minister, Gareth Bacon, said: “For some evil people, murder is the brutal final act of a controlling and coercive relationship with their partner. It is only right we look at whether the sentences for these types of killings reflect this sustained and unacceptable abuse.
“This consultation builds on the action we are taking to clamp down on domestic homicide, by introducing new laws to punish abusers with longer jail terms, and better protect victims.”
The consultation reflects the Government’s determination to ensure the sentencing framework for murder properly punishes perpetrators of this horrific crime, while giving victims’ families the justice they deserve.
In response to Clare Wade’s landmark independent review of sentencing in cases of domestic homicide, the Government has introduced a raft of measures to ensure sentences reflect the seriousness of the crime.
This includes the introduction of new legislation which will make:
“Overkill” and previous controlling or coercive behaviour by the murderer a statutory aggravating factor resulting in longer sentences
A history of controlling or coercive behaviour a mitigating factor where the perpetrator was subject to this behaviour
Killing connected with the end of a relationship a statutory aggravating factor, through the Criminal Justice Bill
The Domestic Homicide Sentence Review was commissioned in 2021 to examine whether the sentencing framework should be reformed to better reflect the seriousness of domestic homicide and to identify options for improvements.
It followed a series of high-profile domestic murders and concerns from the then Victims’ Commissioner and Domestic Abuse Commissioner about how these offences are handled by the justice system.
This is the latest step in the Government’s commitment to be tough to keep the worst offenders locked up.
The UK Government has already ended the automatic release of sex and terrorist offenders, brought in a minimum 14-year jail term for anyone convicted of serious terror offences and under the new Sentencing Bill, the most horrific murderers will spend the rest of their lives locked up, including for any murder involving sexual or sadistic conduct, while criminals who commit rape and other serious sexual offences will spend every day of their sentence behind bars.
Residents and visitors are once again being invited to have their say on Edinburgh’s plans to introduce a charge on all overnight stays.
A new survey launched yesterday (Thursday 23 November) will gather views on the council’s proposals for a visitor levy. The feedback will be used to develop formal public consultation in the spring of 2024.
The questionnaire follows the same format to market research carried out back in 2018 which showed strong support for the introduction of a levy in the city. Since then, Edinburgh’s proposals have been developed further alongside the long-awaited Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill, which was introduced to Parliament in May.
The Bill means Scotland may be the first place in the UK to legislate for a visitor levy next year, giving local authorities the ability to introduce charges such as those already widespread across Europe.
The survey forms part of ongoing engagement work with industry and stakeholders, with officers seeking views on the shape and size of the levy, who it should apply to, and how the funds raised should be invested.
Further industry engagement includes meetings with the Edinburgh Hotels Association (EHA) and Edinburgh Tourism Action Group (ETAG). A series of one-to-one and group meetings with local and national tourism groups and other local government officials is also continuing to take place.
Council Leader Cammy Day said: “A levy presents a major opportunity for us to generate millions of pounds in additional revenue to support, sustain and develop the city and our visitor economy – just as so many other major cities do so successfully.
“We already know from the consultation exercise we carried out back in 2018 that the idea has overwhelming support here in Edinburgh, with 85% backing the introduction of a levy. And our citywide Tourism Strategy 2030 makes clear the need to manage Edinburgh’s enduring appeal as a visitor destination more sustainably.
“Edinburgh was recently recognised as the most sustainable travel destination in Europe by the World Travel Awards, which is testament to the work we’ve already put in with our partners, but visitor numbers are edging back up towards pre-pandemic levels.
“A visitor levy is a way of trying to rebalance the debate and make sure positives are brought back to the industry, to the city, and to our local communities. We need to continue to manage the impacts of tourism while investing in everything that makes our city such a great place to visit and to live.
“While this came across loud and clear earlier this month, when the council and over 30 other witnesses provided the Scottish Parliament with evidence for the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill, a lot has changed since we last sought views from our residents and visitors. We want to make sure our assumptions are up to date and we’re giving everyone the chance to shape our proposals. Please take this chance to have your say.
Donald Emslie, Chair of the Edinburgh Tourism Action Group (ETAG), said: “As the national legislation to introduce a visitor levy is progressed, it is essential that there are early and ongoing discussions to ensure that the levy proposals for Edinburgh are introduced effectively and achieve the aim of managing the growth of the city’s thriving visitor economy, benefiting businesses, residents and visitors.“
The survey will be open until Friday 17 January 2024.
The City of Edinburgh Council is once again asking tenants to give their feedback on rent proposals and the financial pressures they face.
This year’s consultation closes on 17 December, and tenants across the capital are being reminded to share views on the rates rent could be set at next year and how this money should be invested to create more and better housing.
The full scale of the city’s housing challenge was highlighted earlier this month when the council officially declared a Housing Emergency in Edinburgh. This followed news that up to 5,000 households a night are now living in temporary accommodation due to homelessness and a shortage of affordable housing.
A budget strategy report published last month also reveals the gap between the amount of funding Edinburgh needs to improve housing and the budget available to achieve this, which is primarily funded by tenants paying rent and government grants.
By raising rent levels, the council could ensure homes meet statutory energy efficiency standards set by the Scottish Government, build hundreds of new affordable homes to help people who are currently homeless and improve the landlord service it provides.
Up to 80% of tenants in Edinburgh receive assistance with their rent, with costs covered by housing benefits or Universal Credit. The council intends to extend its Tenant Hardship Fund to support households who aren’t entitled to this support to access funding if they struggle to afford an increase in rent.
Councillor Jane Meagher, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said:Providing a better service to our tenants, improving their homes, and building more places for people to live is at heart of our housing budget strategy.
“We recognise that this year will be particularly challenging for all residents with rising inflation, spiralling prices, and the wider cost-of-living crisis.
“These price hikes are affecting us too and we’re seeing the cost of running our housing services increase, at a time when we desperately need to invest in new and better homes and tackle rising homelessness. That’s why we have declared a Housing Emergency, so we can work with partners to help everyone who needs a safe place to call home.
“In our last consultation tenants told us they want us to invest in homes to make them more energy efficient and that they need more affordable homes. So, we are looking forward to hearing from our tenants again and hope this consultation allows them the opportunity to have their voices heard.”
Murrayburn
Alongside charging a higher rent for newly built homes and newly modernised homes, the council is considering three possible rent increase options:
4.1% increase each year for the next five years to deliver the council’s existing plan. This would help to deliver 2,000 new social rented homes and upgrade 5,200 existing homes to modern and high energy efficiency standards in the next ten years. The average weekly rent would increase by £4.31.
5.0% increase each year for the next five years to be in line with inflation. It would help to deliver 2,300 new social rented homes and upgrade 5,600 existing homes to modern and high energy efficiency standards in the next ten years. The average weekly rent would increase by £5.25.
8.4% increase each year for the next five years to deliver the council’s pre-Covid investment plan. It would help to deliver 3,560 new social rented homes and upgrade 12,400 existing homes to modern and high energy efficient standards in the next ten years. The average weekly rent would increase by £8.83.
No decisions on rents or how the council spends the Housing Revenue Account in the next financial year will be made until February 2024, when the council sets a housing revenue budget as part of a wider budget setting process.
A Holyrood Committee is calling for individuals and organisations to share their views on proposed changes to the laws governing social security in Scotland.
The Social Justice and Social Security Committee has launched a call for views on the Scottish Government’s Social Security (Scotland) (Amendment) Bill.
Social security legislation was devolved to Holyrood in 2016 and a legal framework to the Scottish Social Security system was introduced in 2018. This meant 11 existing social security benefits were devolved from the Department of Work and Pensions to a new Scottish body, Social Security Scotland.
The new Bill proposes a range of changes, including creating a framework to introduce new social security benefits for children and care experienced people, changing rules about how people can challenge decisions made about social security assistance and repealing COVID measures that allowed people to make late applications.
The Committee will be scrutinising the Bill and considering whether these changes deliver improvements, make the system more efficient and the extent to which they reflect the Scottish Government’s social security principles.
Commenting on the launch of the consultation, Collette Stevenson, Convener of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee, said: “We want to hear what people make of the Scottish Government’s proposed changes to social security laws.
“We’re particularly interested in hearing about the impact these changes will have, whether they deliver value for money and the extent to which there can be further improvement to the system as a result of these changes.
“The proposals in the Bill include introducing new benefits for children and care experienced people, allowing appointees who manage a person’s DWP benefits to also manage their Social Security Scotland benefits and new ways for individuals to appeal when they are not entitled to assistance.
“I would encourage anybody with a view on these plans, or any of the other proposals in the Bill, to complete the call for views on the Parliament’s website.”
The call for views opened yesterday and will be open until Friday 12 January 2024.
The link to where people can share their views on the Bill is:
Views sought on new qualifications body and inspectorate
People are being asked to share their views to create a new national qualifications body and new approaches to inspection, as part of reforms to Scotland’s education and skills system.
Legislation will be introduced to Parliament in 2024 to implement the Scottish Government’s commitment to replace the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) with a new organisation. Views are now being sought on how this new body will involve pupils and students and the teaching professions in its decision making, as well as being accountable and transparent.
The public consultation on reform of the education and skills sector is also seeking views on changes in relation to inspection, which currently sits with Education Scotland – to maximise the positive impacts of inspection and ensure high levels of confidence in the system among teachers, other professionals, parents and carers and the public.
It was announced during a wide ranging statement on Education and Skills reform where Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth also announced the publication of the third report from the First Minister’s International Council of Education Advisers, which sets out the need for investment in education professionals to address the changing needs of young people. The Education Secretary also gave an update on planning for the proposed Centre for Teaching Excellence.
Ms Gilruth said: “The case for reform is clear and we need to deliver tangible action, setting out the steps which are right for our education system now.
“This consultation is an important opportunity for young people, parents and carers and, crucially, teachers to make their voices heard and is an important step in designing our national education and skills landscape in its totality.
“The new qualifications body and approaches to inspection are the foundations of delivering meaningful reform, meaning better outcomes for young people and adult learners, ensuring that the views and needs of pupils, teachers and others who rely on this service are at the heart of what they do, and how they deliver support.
“I am determined to continue to build the consensus for change. We need the system to work better for children and young people as well as the profession, ensuring it continues to support everyone to positively contribute to our country.”
