Seòmar agus comataidhean

Over the past few weeks, I have been hosting a number of informative drop-ins across Banffshire and Buchan Coast for constituents who are concerned about high fuel bills. Amid all the uncertainty caused by the UK Government’s budgetary decisions this winter, low-income households in Scotland can at least be assured that they can access regular annual support in the form of the Scottish winter heating payment. Is the cabinet secretary aware of how many households are likely to benefit from that payment compared with the unreliable UK cold weather payment that it replaced in 2022?

The tragic death of Keith Rollinson following an assault at his workplace is a stark reminder of the dangers that our essential workers can face. Like my colleagues, I express my deepest sympathies for his family, his friends and his colleagues, who now bear the weight of such a senseless loss. I also pass on the condolences of my colleague Richard Lochhead, who, as the constituency MSP, has had many multi-agency meetings about this horrific incident.

Nobody should ever have to fear for their safety at work, and yet, for bus drivers, abuse and even violence can too often be a reality. That is utterly unacceptable. I hope that, as parliamentarians, we all see it as our duty to ensure that no one in Scotland faces such risks, particularly when they are simply doing their job and serving the public.

Our bus drivers connect communities. They link up our rural areas, our towns and our cities. They ensure that our children get to school safely, that workers can reach their jobs, and that people can stay connected. They keep our communities moving, often with acts of kindness that go unnoticed but that mean so much to people.

There is a road near my home that absolutely fills me with dread. Whenever my sons have to cross it, I have my heart in my mouth. Cars speed along at 60 mph—often above the limit—and there are no crossings. However, there is one bus driver in our area who knows my concerns and, when it is safe, she will drop my sons off at a point where they do not need to cross the road. That simple act of care is not part of her job description, but it reflects the responsibility and kindness that she feels towards her passengers.

Stories such as that one are not uncommon. Bus drivers often go above and beyond, whether it is in holding back while someone runs to catch the bus, helping an elderly or disabled passenger, or simply offering a smile or a kind word. It is even more heartbreaking, then, to hear that they are often the target of abuse and violence. The recent survey by Unite the union highlights that they are facing verbal abuse, physical threats and, in some cases, actual assaults, which is utterly appalling.

I welcome the Scottish Government’s commitment to tackling antisocial behaviour, and I support Unite’s call for a transport safety summit. Bringing together unions, bus operators, local authorities and other stakeholders can help us to develop comprehensive solutions. However, we must also address the root causes of antisocial behaviour. Training for staff on handling difficult situations is important, but those situations should not be happening in the first place, so education and early intervention are key.

Most passengers, including young people, behave responsibly, and the introduction of free bus travel for under-22s has been transformative. However, with privilege comes responsibility, and although most young people use their bus passes appropriately, there is a small minority across all age ranges who engage in antisocial behaviour, which cannot be ignored. Young people also want to feel safe on our buses.

I support exploring some sanctions, such as the potential removal of bus passes from individuals who repeatedly behave inappropriately. However, that should happen regardless of age. Anyone engaging in repeated antisocial behaviour should face consequences.

In conclusion, I want to thank every bus driver in Scotland—you deserve to come home safely at the end of the working day. You are not just moving people from A to B; you are connecting lives and supporting communities, and I hope that we can all work with you to help build a society in which respect is the norm, not the exception.

One of the farming industry’s biggest fears was always the removal of ring fencing and the Barnettising of funding, and history will record that it was the Labour Party that did that. Farmers are fundamental to our food security and to the future of our rural economy. Does the minister agree that every party in the chamber should unite in calling on the UK Government to reinstate the ring-fenced multiyear funding that Scotland’s farmers used to have and should still have?

I ask members whether they are content with everything that they have asked and our witnesses whether they would like to add anything that they feel they have not been able to get across. If everyone is content, that is a good sign.

That concludes our business in public. I thank the witnesses for attending. We expect to take evidence from Maree Todd, the Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, on the proposed bill at our meeting next week. The witnesses’ evidence has been very helpful in informing that session.

We move into private to discuss the final items on our agenda.

That brings us to the end of our pre-prepared questions. I recognise that some organisations may not have had time to think about the following questions, but if they want to respond in writing, that is perfectly fine. If you wish to speak, please indicate by raising your hand. We move to a question from Maggie Chapman.

What can the Scottish Government and public services do now to help support people with learning disabilities and neurodivergent people?

Welcome back. Before we move on with the rest of the session, I suggest that we include Susan Burt and Gregor Hardie in all of our questions—that is, all the main questions, not necessarily the supplementaries. Other members of the panel may come in if they have something different to add.

As time is pressing, I want to ensure that we get through as many questions as possible. Therefore, I would appreciate it if people could keep their answers succinct.

I now bring in Tess White.

Good morning, and welcome to the 26th meeting in 2024, in session 6, of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee. We have apologies from Evelyn Tweed.

Our first agenda item is a decision on taking in private item 3, which is consideration of today’s evidence on the proposed learning disabilities, autism and neurodivergence bill. Do members agree to take that item in private?

Members indicated agreement.

Our second agenda item is an evidence session on the pause to the introduction of the proposed learning disabilities, autism and neurodivergence bill.

This morning, we will hear from a panel of witnesses that is made up of member representatives and others representing people with learning disabilities, neurodivergent people and autistic people. I welcome to the meeting Gregor Hardie and Susan Burt, who are member representatives from People First (Scotland); Jamie Cooke, who is the head of policy at Enable; Suzi Martin, who is the external affairs manager at the National Autistic Society Scotland; Jenny Miller, who is the chief executive of PAMIS, Promoting a More Inclusive Society, and who joins us remotely; Joe Long, who is the director of practice and innovation at Scottish Autism; and Dr Simon Webster, who is the chief executive of the Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities. You are all very welcome. Thank you for attending.

We have a larger number of witnesses than usual today, but we have plenty of time, so I will take things steadily. I refer members to papers 1 and 2. I begin by asking our witnesses for brief opening statements.

Thank you for your contributions so far. We will now move to questions from members. What has your involvement been with the development of the bill?