Maree Todd
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“Is the minister willing to consider a cross-Government approach with local authorities, because the piece-by-piece approach of the 32 local authorities currently is not working?”
“Local authorities, which manage the majority of burial grounds in Scotland, must also comply with the Equality Act 2010, including the public sector equality duty, which requires them to have regard to religious needs when delivering services, including bereavement services.”
“The Scottish Government recognises the importance of ensuring that burial provision reflects the diverse religious and cultural needs of all communities.”
“Many local authorities charge a lower fee for residents, partly to recognise their indirect contributions to the provision and upkeep of burial grounds through the council tax system. Mr Linden has identified a challenging area for his constituents.”
“CAMHS is a specialist service for children and young people who have acute mental health needs, and referrals are based on clinical judgment. Although referrals are sometimes not accepted, that does not mean that support is not available.”
“We want people to be able to access thrombectomy treatment across Scotland, no matter where they live. That is why, in our election manifesto, we committed to providing a further £25 million, on top of the more than £51 million that we have already invested, to deliver a 24/7 thrombectomy service with national coverage.”
The complete record
Every one of 508 lines we hold for Maree Todd, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 8 of 11.
“We know that supporting people to talk openly about suicide saves lives. Last month, suicide prevention Scotland launched a powerful new campaign to reduce stigma and support anyone who is at risk of or affected by suicide. On Brian Whittle’s points, I smiled as he said that he was going to bore the chamber—I thought that he was going to talk only about exercise, which is a passion that we share. The evidence is growing on the role of exercise not only in prevention but in the treatment of mild to moderate mental illness. There is huge evidence that exercise is a solid investment for our children. The Daily Mile evidence has shown that, if we want our children to read and write better and to perform better at school, we need to get them moving, and I commend it to everyone in the chamber.”
“Maree Todd: Let me assure members that, through the efforts of Christine Grahame and Jim Fairlie, I am well aware of that organisation’s amazing work in using horticulture as a therapy and as a way to connect and improve mental wellbeing. We are working right across policies and services to raise awareness and to ensure that people who provide services are able to respond to the needs of neurodivergent people. We are also investing in our autistic adult support fund, which provides support to autistic adults without the need for a formal diagnosis. We have invested almost £250,000 in assessment and support for children, in addition to the significant investment across all the services that I have mentioned. When we raise awareness of mental health, it is important that we raise awareness of suicide, too.”
“However, a formal diagnosis should not always be needed to access support, and not all people with neurodivergent support needs will meet diagnostic thresholds. Such support for those who need it should be made available in their local community, whether that relates to education, employment or something else. We are working across— Christine Grahame: Will the minister take an intervention? Maree Todd: Yes. Christine Grahame: My intervention is not relevant to what the minister has just said, but I want to give a plug for Trellis Scotland, which I failed to mention. It offers therapeutic gardening and horticulture for children and adults. Unlike Brian Whittle, I do not have running shoes, but I have a fork and a spade. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I am glad that you did not raise that as a point of order, Ms Grahame.”
“There is no doubt that anxiety disorders cause an immense level of disability to those who suffer from them, so I do not want to diminish the experience that some people have, but we can do things to increase people’s coping skills and resilience. I recognise the significant increase in the number of children and adults who are seeking support for their neurodivergence. Although that has challenged services, NHS boards and health and social care partnerships must prioritise funding to ensure that those who need it most can access assessment. We fund the national autism implementation team to support NHS boards to develop, enhance and redesign local neurodevelopmental services. I recognise, as my colleague Gillian Mackay has said, that receiving a diagnosis can be important.”
“We remain committed to meeting that treatment time standard and clearing backlogs by December 2025 to ensure that our young people receive appropriate mental health support quickly. Brian Whittle: The minister detailed how the waiting time for CAMHS is coming down. Should we not also acknowledge that too many children are falling into poor mental health? Anxiety is a natural state and a natural part of life, but the fact that we are not giving children outlets for that anxiety is leading them to CAMHS. Maree Todd: I will come to that point in a moment. Although anxiety is a natural state, it can be pathological.”
“However, not everyone is comfortable with face- to-face support, so we have also funded a range of online supports to provide mental health information and advice. Those include the mind to mind and Parent Club websites for adults and the AyeFeel and Mind Yer Time resources for children and young people. In relation to specialist supports, I am sure that all members will be aware that, for the first time ever, national performance against the 18-week CAMHS standard has been met, with more than 90 per cent of children and young people starting treatment within 18 weeks of referral. That has been achieved alongside an increasing number of referrals to CAMHS for support.”
“The inclusion of our adult fund in the Scottish Government’s third sector fairer funding pilot will result in multiyear funding for the first time, with £15 million being invested in each of the next two years. That will give community organisations the security to continue the great work that is being done across the country. We are also supporting a number of other programmes across Scotland that are targeted at specific groups that are most at risk of poor mental health. That includes the national rural mental health forum, which provides tailored support for rural and island communities with the unique challenges that they face. Another great example is SAMH’s changing room extra time programme, which uses football to bring men together to talk about mental health while reducing stigma and isolation in the process.”
“Roz McCall: Does the minister agree with me, and with Place2Be, that we need to do more focused work with young people in our schools to ensure that they have early support and that there is early intervention, which will, we hope, mean that they will not need support as they grow older? Maree Todd: Absolutely. I have met the very impressive group of people at Place2Be. The funding that we are providing to support communities is very much focused on early intervention, prevention and tailored support to keep people mentally healthy. I have seen for myself the difference that such funds are making in people’s lives. On a recent visit to Empower Women for Change in Glasgow, I saw how minority ethnic women are being supported to improve their mental health and wellbeing through shared learning and peer support.”
“I am looking forward to visiting Gairloch museum, in my constituency, which runs weekly activity sessions for unpaid carers and people living with dementia. That project is one of thousands that have received funding from our communities mental health and wellbeing fund for adults. Since 2021, the fund has provided grass- roots groups across Scotland with £66 million to support those who are most at risk of poor mental health. Likewise, since 2020, the children and young people’s community fund has provided local authorities with more than £65 million of funding for more than 300 community mental health and wellbeing supports and services.”
“I can certainly empathise with that sentiment, Deputy Presiding Officer. I thank Roz McCall for lodging the motion for this year’s debate. The theme of community is a great one. I have spoken previously about how community-based supports, including from the third sector, are a vital part of our mental health system. That is reflected in our mental health and wellbeing strategy, which outlines a long-term vision of a Scotland that is free from stigma and inequality, and where everyone achieves the best possible mental health and wellbeing. The strategy addresses a range of needs to ensure that people get the right support while focusing on the wider social and economic factors that can impact people’s mental health. This mental health awareness week, the Scottish Government will be raising awareness in a number of ways.”
“That included day-case and in-patient care—more than was planned for. That shows the priority and commitment that we are determined to deliver. The 2025-26 budget will provide £21 billion for health and social care, including a commitment to spend £200 million to reduce waiting times. To improve capacity, we will deliver more than 150,000 extra appointments and procedures in the coming year, which will ensure that people receive the care that they need as quickly as possible. Gynaecology will continue to be a priority area for that funding.”
“A survey found that 90 per cent of women have concerns about accessing comprehensive health screening. Women are feeling very much left behind. Nothing in the programme for government will improve outcomes for women in the here and now, and progress on women’s health has already been slow. Does the Government intend to deliver on its commitment to improve waiting times for women? When will women start to see a difference on the ground? Maree Todd: Timely access to gynaecology services will be a priority as we develop the next phase of the women’s health plan. In 2024-25, we allocated £450,000 to gynaecology from our £30 million targeted investment in planned care, aiming to deliver 3,500 new out-patient appointments. In actual fact, we realigned that commitment in year and spent £630,000.”
“The Government’s 2021 women’s health plan marked the start of an important journey to improve health outcomes for women and girls in Scotland. In November last year, we published a report setting out the progress that was made in the first three years. Our ambition is that women and girls enjoy the best possible health throughout their lives. That continues to be our guiding principle as we work on the next phase of the plan, which is set to be published this year. Carol Mochan: Recent freedom of information requests from Scottish Labour to health boards have revealed just how bad things are for women on the ground. Thousands are stuck on waiting lists for treatment for gynaecological conditions. Waiting times have dramatically increased, despite Scottish Government manifesto commitments to improve women’s health.”
“Maree Todd: It is not acceptable for there to be no route to diagnosis at all. While people are waiting for a diagnosis, they should be signposted to sources of support. The education system should be able to meet their needs, regardless of whether there is a diagnosis. Some individuals who are referred will not meet the diagnostic threshold, but that does not necessarily mean that they will not have support needs; they might have support needs without meeting the diagnostic threshold. It is important that we consider how to develop a sustainable service of diagnosis and support and where it should sit, which is possibly outside CAMHS. I would be happy to meet Mark Ruskell outside the chamber to discuss that more fully.”
“However, will the minister accept that there are young people who urgently need a diagnosis? I raise the case of Archie from Kinross, whose parents have been knocked back three times by NHS Tayside for a CAMHS referral. They have spent thousands of pounds on a private assessment, and he now has a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Archie’s medical professionals believe that he would benefit from trial medication that would come with an ADHD diagnosis, but he would have to wait 10 years to receive a diagnosis in Tayside and he would probably be an adult before getting through the waiting list. Will the minister acknowledge that there is a need for an urgent diagnostic pathway, particularly to support young people such as Archie and the thousands of people across Scotland who do not have a route to getting a diagnosis?”
“As I have tried hard to help members to understand, CAMHS is not the correct service for children who are seeking a diagnosis for neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD, unless they have a co- existing mental health condition. For many young people, a neurodevelopmental pathway will ensure that the right help and support is provided. The design and management of neurodevelopmental diagnostic services is for individual health boards to determine. Each will have their own arrangements and crucial links to education authorities. Demand has increased markedly, but I expect services to be designed to ensure that children receive the right support for their needs as quickly as possible. Mark Ruskell: I accept the importance of a route to support neurodivergent young people in school that is not dependent on a diagnosis.”
“Health boards and service partners have to work together to ensure that children and their families, as well as adults, receive support and access to services that meet their needs at the earliest opportunity. My officials are liaising with NHS boards across Scotland, including in Lanarkshire, to understand what provision they have in place, and they are exploring how to address the current issues. In addition, we fund the national autism implementation team, which is currently supporting NHS boards to develop, enhance and redesign existing local neurodevelopmental services. I would be happy to meet Clare Adamson at a later date to update her on the work that is happening in Lanarkshire. Child Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Assessments 5.”
“Clare Adamson: I thank the minister for her answer, especially in relation to signposting patients. In Lanarkshire, in recent years, the number of ADHD referrals has equalled those of all other mental health conditions combined. Given that volume, NHS Lanarkshire is developing a new care model. Will the minister provide an expected timeline for when the new ADHD service pathway will be available? Maree Todd: Clare Adamson will understand that ADHD is not a mental illness; it is a form of neurodivergence. However, I absolutely recognise that mental health conditions often co-occur with ADHD. Long waits for neurodevelopmental support are unacceptable.”
“This year, we are providing funding of £123.5 million to national health service boards to support improvements across mental health services, including neurodevelopmental services. I expect each board to have arrangements in place to ensure that people who are waiting for an ADHD assessment are signposted to appropriate support. Since 2020, local authorities have received more than £65 million to deliver community mental health and wellbeing support and services for children, young people and families, and £16 million a year to ensure that every secondary school has access to school counselling services. Our £1 million autism support fund for adults funds organisations that support people with ADHD, especially where it co-occurs with autism.”
“In addition to the on-going work in relation to the LDAN bill, NHS Education for Scotland and organisations funded by the Scottish Government to support people with learning disabilities—such as PAMIS—can help health and social care professionals to develop knowledge and understanding and to support such implementation. I will ask my officials to pick the matter up with the relevant people. The Presiding Officer: That concludes general question time. First Minister’s Question Time 12:00 Oil and Gas Production 1.”
“Attendees told me that, when a health professional pays attention to their passport, the experience is great, but if they are rude about the passport or make a big deal about how much of a hassle it is, that makes a stressful situation worse. It was very important to the attendees that I raise the problem directly with the minister. What more can be done to raise awareness of existing schemes and make sure that people with learning disabilities, and their passports, are always treated with the respect that is deserved in health and social care settings? Maree Todd: We know that implementation and uptake are key barriers to the effectiveness of passports.”
“There is currently no national health passport scheme in Scotland for people with learning disabilities. Some of the organisations that the Scottish Government funds have developed their own version of a passport—for example, PAMIS has pioneered its digital passport. We are continuing work to progress the development of proposals for a learning disabilities, autism and neurodivergence bill. That includes the development of provisions on statutory strategies, guidance and mandatory training, which could be used to support the introduction of a passport scheme for people with learning disabilities. Emma Roddick: I recently joined L’Arche Highland for a cup of tea as part of its power cuppas series, through which people with influence come to speak and listen to those with learning disabilities.”
“However, in recognition of those difficulties, funding from the Government has increased to both health and social care and our local government partners. I expect local decisions to be made in consultation with the communities in which they are based, in full awareness of the impact on them, and I expect them to take account of the potential impact on the other services that might be asked to step in. I will certainly add the issue that Mr Sweeney has raised to the list of things that officials are discussing with that IJB. NHS Borders (Hospital at Home Provision) 2.”
“That is not rational—it is a cost- driven exercise. The care of all who rely on Flourish House will be disrupted, due to the budgetary constraints that are faced by the integration joint boards. Will the minister join me in raising her concern about that cut to a vital service in Glasgow, and work with Flourish House and the health and social care partnership to find a long and lasting future for this well-established and well-regarded service? Maree Todd: My officials already meet representatives of the Glasgow IJB to understand the financial pressures that the partnership is facing, and it is my understanding that that IJB remains committed to protecting and delivering statutory services for the people of Glasgow. It is vital that we all recognise the very difficult financial context that we collectively face.”
“The organisation, delivery and funding of mental health services will vary depending on local population needs and will be guided by clinical decision making. Paul Sweeney: Clearly, the numbers that were cited by the minister are not getting to where they need to be, as I have been contacted by constituents who are deeply worried by the decision by Glasgow’s health and social care partnership not to renew core funding for Flourish House, a mental health recovery community that has been based in the city’s Woodlands district since 1997. Flourish House works on a clubhouse model, giving members a restorative living environment and supporting those whose lives have been severely disrupted, because of their mental illness. It is appalling that such a successful and well- established place of healing and therapy is now in danger of closure.”
“The Scottish Government and national health service boards continue to support spending in excess of £1.5 billion for mental health services in 2025-26. Specifically for mental health, boards were allocated £123.5 million in 2024-25 via the enhanced mental health outcomes framework, with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde receiving more than £27.5 million. That funding, which was provided in addition to core allocations to boards, is now being baselined, which will give local areas greater choice in how services are configured and organised in order to deliver better and more sustainable outcomes. Decisions on the provision of mental health services are a local responsibility. Services should be planned by integration joint boards and delivered through a mixture of NHS, local authority and third sector organisations.”
“I would be comfortable if the member were to furnish me with more details of the individual so that I can consider raising the individual’s case with the local system, which has responsibility both statutorily and operationally for the delivery of a care package to her. Turnpenny-Fry Syndrome 6.”
“Maree Todd: The member will be aware that we are investing in social care in order to provide support for people who need to access it. Although we have overall responsibility for health and social care support policy in Scotland, it is for local authorities and health and social care partnerships to ensure that social care support services are in place to provide people with the appropriate support in the right place and at the right time. Our budget for 2025-26 sets out almost £2.2 billion of investment in social care and integration, exceeding our commitment to increase investment during this session of Parliament. The Scottish Government has regular meetings with all our local systems.”
“A further 46 people were delayed in hospital as they were awaiting completion of care arrangements, primarily for care-at-home services. The statistics may well include patients who are delayed in a hospital that is outwith their health board area of residence. It is important that I point that out. Katy Clark: A constituent of mine has been in touch. She has been in hospital but ready for discharge since 17 November, as North Ayrshire health and social care partnership has been unable to provide a care package. I am making representations, but what advice does the cabinet secretary have? Does she think that that is the longest that a current patient has been in hospital? What is being done to ensure that we stop such waits happening, given the waste of resource?”
“The latest published statistics from Public Health Scotland show that, as of 3 March 2025, six people were waiting in hospital for a social care assessment in North Ayrshire. Over the past 12 months, on average, three people were recorded as waiting for a social care assessment in hospital in North Ayrshire, and no more than 12 people at any one point. The same publication also shows that, on 3 March 2025, 44 people were waiting in hospital for a care-at-home package in North Ayrshire, which is 30 more than was the case in the same week in 2024, when, on 4 March 2024, 14 people were waiting. The latest published statistics on delayed discharge also show that, as of 30 January, 15 people were delayed in North Ayrshire as they were awaiting a social care assessment.”
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“I ask for your guidance, under standing orders, on how we, as back-bench members of the Parliament, might bring this issue back to the chamber so that we have more time to examine it in detail and get a fuller—and, I would argue, better—response from the minister, who represents the Scottish Government. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Mr Kerr, you will be well aware that that is not a point of order. You will also be aware of the mechanisms, primarily through your business manager, for arranging for items to be put to the Parliamentary Bureau so that a decision can be taken on debates and so on in the chamber. Meeting closed at 18:14. This is the final edition of the Official Report for this meeting. It is part of the Scottish Parliament Official Report archive and has been sent for legal deposit.”
“I thank Daniel Johnson for lodging the motion for debate, and I reaffirm my commitment to the proposed learning disabilities, autism and neurodivergence bill. As I have said, I am aware that time constraints mean that I have been unable to respond to every issue that has been raised. I again emphasise that my door is open and I am happy to meet members and to make progress together on the issues. The Deputy Presiding Officer: That concludes the debate. Stephen Kerr: On a point of order, Deputy Presiding Officer. I know that I am trying your patience, but we have had a pretty robust debate, with members giving compelling and powerful speeches, and the response that we have just heard from the minister is unsatisfactory.”
“The Scottish Government wants people with learning disabilities to live longer and healthier lives, and offering annual health checks is a big step towards fulfilling that ambition. We are fully funding that policy with annual investment of £2 million. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Briefly, minister. Maree Todd: Health checks, which are being delivered to thousands of people, are already yielding positive results in identifying unmet health needs and supporting access to the right care and treatment. Furthermore, on 20 March, I confirmed to Parliament that the Scottish Government will allocate £10 million over the next two years to provide an additional 150 changing places toilets across Scotland. I am delighted about that announcement and delighted that we are able to deliver on that promise.”
“CAMHS is a specialist service that provides support for mental health conditions, and it has its own referral criteria, which have been in place for some time. The referral for neurodevelopmental assessments does not go through the CAMHS waiting list. That is why we have been able, through a whole-system approach, to put time, effort and investment into improving the CAMHS waiting list. Some of that methodology will be used to look at the approach to neurodevelopmental assessments, as the same level of intensive effort and a whole-system approach will clearly be required to improve the system. The member is conflating and confusing two different referral pathways. I also want to point out some of the vital work that is being done outside the proposed LDAN bill, which aims to address the inequalities that the groups experience.”
“Should the committee have further questions, I am more than happy to hear from it again, as I outlined in my response. It is also important for clarity and for the record that I explain again to Mr Burnett that a number of criteria need to be met before people can be treated under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003. No one in Scotland can be detained simply because they are autistic or have a learning disability. The coming home programme is focused primarily on people who have concluded their period of treatment in hospital and are waiting for discharge, and that does not include people who have been admitted to a state hospital. Mr Marra mentioned CAMHS waiting lists.”
“On community support for autistic adults, we directly invest £1 million a year through our autistic adult support fund to deliver such support. Again, I would just highlight that support can be accessed without a formal diagnosis. The Scottish Government also funds Scottish Autism to provide an autism advice line, which is staffed by advisers who are trained and experienced in working with autistic people and their families. Mr Burnett again invited me to attend the cross- party group on autism. As I outlined in my response to his initial invitation, I will shortly be responding to the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee’s questions as a follow-up to my evidence session, and I have offered to copy the CPG into that response, which I believe will answer many of its questions.”
“Health boards’ communication to people who are on waiting lists has not been good, and I would like that to be improved. Michael Marra: Will the minister give way? Maree Todd: I am sorry, but I really would like to progress. I have a number of issues that I want to get round to, including some of the issues that Mr Marra raised. We have established the national autism implementation team—or NAIT—which is supporting NHS boards to develop, enhance and redesign existing local adult neurodevelopmental services. In addition to NAIT, we have commissioned NHS Education for Scotland to provide professional learning to healthcare staff, including those involved in diagnosis of ADHD and neurodevelopmental conditions at informed, enhanced, specialist and expert levels.”
“Last year, we allocated £123 million to health boards to improve the quality and delivery of mental health and psychological services, including neurodevelopmental services for adults and for children and young people. Daniel Johnson: The minister is talking about steps that the Government is taking to improve services, but the services in question have been entirely withdrawn in a number of health board areas. What is the minister’s response to people in Tayside, who are simply being told that there is no service for them and no waiting list to join? Maree Todd: My officials have reached out to all the health board areas that have made such decisions. As I understand it, a process of redesign is under way, because the services are overwhelmed and are unable to respond to the need. A redesign process is going on.”
“As for adults, we are aware that there has been a significant increase in the number of neurodivergent people seeking a diagnosis and requiring support. Although that creates challenges for a range of services, we recognise just how important it can be to a person’s wellbeing to receive such a diagnosis and support. Long waits for support are not acceptable. I assure members that the Scottish Government is working closely with local health and social care— [Interruption.] I am sorry—there are several points that I want to respond to, and I have only a couple of minutes left. We are working with local health and social care bodies to improve access to services and support for neurodivergent people.”
“That support will often be community or school based. As I have already stated, receipt of support should not be dependent on a formal diagnosis, and I would expect NHS health boards, children’s services and other partners to work together to implement the specification and to provide the support that is required by children and families, which might include assessment, diagnosis or other interventions. Over the past five years, we have invested £65 million in community-based mental health support and services for children and young people and their families, including support for neurodivergent children and young people. We continue to provide £16 million a year to local authorities to provide access to school counselling services for all school pupils aged 10 and above.”
“As I have said, we will publish draft proposals before the end of this term of Parliament. We are working on those together. We will hold a series of meetings to discuss them, which we will schedule over the next few months. [Interruption.] I need to make progress, as multiple issues were raised during the debate, and I am keen to respond to them. That said, I am happy to offer to meet the member who sought to intervene at a later date, should his questions not be responded to. As the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills recently set out to Parliament, she will engage with the Auditor General on Audit Scotland’s ASN report. For children and young people, our national neurodevelopmental specification aims to ensure that children and families can access support and services that meet their needs.”
“We are talking about ASN specialist teachers. Will she acknowledge that the number of specialist teachers has decreased by 12 per cent over a period when the number of children with additional support needs has doubled? Will she also acknowledge that, although she has talked us through the process, the reality is that nobody who took part in the consultation wanted to take part in a consultation? What they wanted was outcomes. Will the minister set out what steps the Government will take? The situation is undoubtedly worse than it was when the Government embarked on the process. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I can give you the time back, minister. Maree Todd: As many of the people with whom we have engaged on the LDAN bill are well aware, we are continuing to make progress on the bill.”
“In education, neurodivergent children benefit from existing protections under the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004. Local councils have a legal duty to plan and provide support for neurodivergent children. It is important, however, to point out that it is not necessary for children to have a diagnosis to receive the support that they need when they are in school. It is important that I correct the motion, because it is not correct to say that only 6 per cent of teachers are trained to provide support with additional support needs. All teachers undertake ASN training during initial teacher education; indeed, that is a requirement to meet the professional standards for registration with the General Teaching Council for Scotland. Daniel Johnson: The minister has corrected the motion, but can I just correct her?”
“I am grateful to all the stakeholders who were involved in designing and responding to the consultation. The high number of responses that we received demonstrates the importance and relevance of the work. I assure members around the chamber that the Government’s commitment to developing the LDAN bill has not changed. We have made a clear commitment that the work continues to progress and that the next steps will be for us to publish draft provisions with the benefit of the consultation evidence and further targeted engagement in forming our refined proposals. The bill is, of course, only one piece of the puzzle, and members have rightly raised a number of other points that I wish to address in turn.”
“I acknowledge that neurodivergent people and people with learning disabilities have needed to campaign for far too long for the changes that they need. I understand how disappointing and frustrating that is, and I have met many individuals and our partners to express that I share their sense of frustration at the length of time that real change can take. However, it is important that we recognise how far we have already come. The proposed bill started from a successful campaign by leading charities to highlight the need for greater accountability for those groups of people. From that early starting point, we have built a significant body of work over the past three years, and central to that has been the extensive consultation paper that was produced in partnership with the lived experience advisory panel.”
“I am grateful to Daniel Johnson for lodging the motion and allowing us the opportunity to discuss an important topic. I am also grateful to the other members who contributed, many of whom have highlighted their personal experience. It is always powerful when members bring their own personal experience to the issues that we debate in the chamber. In raising the topic for debate, Mr Johnson brings attention to the disadvantage and structural exclusion that neurodivergent people and people with learning disabilities experience. My work with and for those groups is a key part of my portfolio, but I also believe strongly that we need to change our approach in that area. The motion that Mr Johnson lodged notes the disappointment that many people have expressed about the lengthened timescales for the LDAN bill.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I was unable to vote in time, and I would have voted yes. The Presiding Officer: Thank you, Ms Todd. We will ensure that that is recorded.”
“14:30 On resuming— Portfolio Question Time Social Justice”
“One of the big contributors to the underestimate in the data is the fact that many of our young people do not identify as carers. As was quoted by Martin Whitfield, they say that “it’s just what we do.” I also love that Martin Whitfield mentioned love, as it is very appropriate for today’s debate. I am grateful that he highlighted that people care with love. In closing, I acknowledge members’ powerful contributions. Some spoke directly for their constituents and some brought caring to life by reflecting on their own experiences. Most important is that I acknowledge the huge contribution that is made by young carers right across Scotland. I reiterate the Scottish Government’s commitment to doing what we can to make sure that young carers have access to the support that they deserve when they need it. 13:45 Meeting suspended.”