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I should say that, wearing another hat, I know that there are currently 19 members’ bills in the system, which is a record number at this stage in a parliamentary session. We are already probably at the point at which it is unlikely that any further members’ bills have much prospect of success before 2026, which is quite alarming.

We will reflect on these matters further in subsequent meetings, and the committee might agree now that we should write to one or two organisations to find out a bit more about the experience in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

We are coming to a conclusion—we have gone on a bit longer than planned, but it has been an interesting discussion. Is there anything that any of you want to add? Is there anything that we have overlooked in our conversation?

I see that there is not. In which case, thank you all very much. This discussion has been hugely valuable to us in our consideration of the petition and we are grateful to you for giving us your time.

Colleagues, are we content to consider the evidence afresh at a future meeting?

Members indicated agreement.

We will suspend the meeting briefly.

Are colleagues content for the clerks to summarise the evidence that we have heard from the various parties and bring forward some recommendations that have arisen from the conversations that we have had? We can have a look at that summary at a future meeting, ahead of submitting it by way of a formal representation to the Scottish Government and to the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee. Does that meet with the committee’s approval?

Members indicated agreement.

PE1837, which was lodged by Stephen Leighton, is on providing clear direction and investment for autism support. The petition calls on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to clarify how autistic people who do not have a learning disability and/or mental disorder can access support, and to allocate investment for autism support teams in every local authority or health and social care partnership in Scotland.

We last considered the petition on 4 May, when we agreed to follow up with the Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care on a number of points that were raised during our evidence session. In response, the minister has detailed a range of on-going work to support and invest in people with autism.

I am pleased to say that the petitioner has said that he is satisfied with the outcome of the minister’s response. He states that the letter is

“a safety net that ensures all autistic people in Scotland have the legal right to at least an assessment of their needs”.

As the petitioner is satisfied, he has requested that we close his petition, and he has thanked the committee for its hard work on the matter. I thank Mr Leighton for bringing the petition to the committee. We are pleased to read positive reflections about his experience of engaging with us on the matter, and I am delighted that the petition has led to a successful outcome.

With the committee’s agreement, therefore, we will close the petition. Are members agreed?

Members indicated agreement.

Agenda item 2 is consideration of continued petitions. PE1887, on the creation of an unborn victims of violence act, was submitted by Nicola Murray, from whom we took evidence when we last considered the petition. Originally, we hoped to convene this further evidence-taking session at our first meeting after the summer recess, but it proved too difficult to get everybody together at the appropriate time. It is a little bit later than scheduled, but we are now able to consider the petition again.

The petition urges the Scottish Government to introduce an unborn victims of violence act, which would create a specific offence to enable courts to hand down longer sentences for perpetrators of domestic violence that causes miscarriage.

We are joined this morning by Dr Mary Neal from the University of Strathclyde, Steven Tidy from Victim Support Scotland and Dr Marsha Scott from Scottish Women’s Aid. I thank you all for coming to speak to us today. Members have a number of issues that they would like to explore so, if you are quite happy, we will move to the first question. Please indicate when you wish to speak and I will come to you in turn.

We had a really compelling evidence-taking session with the petitioner. There is quite a bit of evidence that we still need to take but, as a general introductory question, will our three guests give us their views on the evidence on the level and impact of domestic abuse during pregnancy? Would anyone like to indicate their general feelings on that matter?

PE1952, on specialist services for patients with autonomic dysfunction, was lodged by Jane Clarke. The petition calls on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to instruct Scotland’s NHS to form specialist services training resources and a clinical pathway for the diagnosis and treatment of patients exhibiting symptoms of autonomic nervous system dysfunction, or dysautonomia.

Jane tells us that autonomic nervous system disorders are common and that they are also often a complication of long Covid. She highlights the severe impact of the condition on people’s quality of life and life expectancy. Jane says that, in Scotland, there is no clinical pathway for dysautonomia, no specialist hub to diagnose and treat patients, and no access to local or regional healthcare for most patients. She highlights challenges and referrals to specialists in England, and lengthy treatment delays and the related impacts of that on individuals, including children.

In a further submission, Jane has provided additional information and comments on the Scottish Government’s response. According to Jane, a member of the NICE expert panel on long-term effects of Covid-19 has said that Scotland does not currently follow the relevant guidance in relation to multidisciplinary doctor-led services. Jane notes that a lack of data on the prevalence of such conditions in Scotland means that there is also no data on whether services are adequate.

The Scottish Government response states that there is expertise in Scotland to manage such conditions and that, where additional expertise is required, pathways are in place to allow patients to access services in England. It also states that the clinical guideline on identifying, addressing and managing the long-term effects of Covid-19 is supported by the Scottish Government’s implementation support note, which has been circulated to all NHS health boards.

Do members have any comments or suggestions?

Thank you, Mr Stewart. As no colleagues have any other comments or suggestions, are we content to progress as Mr Stewart has suggested?

Members indicated agreement.

PE1953, on education support staff roles, was lodged by Roisin Taylor-Young. The petition calls on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to review education support staff roles to consider: urgently raising wages for ESS across primary and secondary sectors to £26,000 per annum; increasing the hours of the working day for ESS from 27.5 to 35 hours; allowing ESS to work on personal learning plans with teachers and take part in multi-agency meetings; requiring ESS to register with the Scottish Social Services Council; and paying ESS staff monthly.

Roisin emphasises the importance of support staff, stating that they are absolutely essential to children’s education, support, care and wellbeing. She tells us that support staff are

“bitterly overworked and chronically underpaid”

and that there have been a number of equal pay claims for Scottish councils.

The Scottish Parliament information centre briefing states that classroom assistants are not required to have a professional registration currently. However, SPICe goes on to say that the Scottish Government is committed to exploring options for the development of an accredited qualification and registration programme for additional support needs assistants in collaboration with trade unions and other key stakeholders. That will result in final proposals, which are due to be brought forward by autumn next year.

The Scottish Government highlights that a pupil support staff working group has been established to consider how pupil support staff can be empowered and supported. The group is currently engaged with and seeking the views of pupil support staff on its work.

Do members have any comments or suggestions on the petition? Mr Stewart, you are stepping forward again. Thank you.

As there are no other suggestions, are members content to progress as recommended?

Members indicated agreement.