Taunton Autism Support Group

Below is a letter from the NAS detailing the measures announced by Government today, 22nd February 2009.

Dear Supporter,

I am delighted to write to you about a vital new Government commitment to improve the lives of people with autism. Thanks to your fantastic support, and the crucial help of Cheryl Gillan MP, we have together succeeded in persuading the Government to address all the issues raised by the Cheryl Gillan Autism Bill.

Government Announcement
In a joint Government statement to MPs, Phil Hope MP, Minister for Care Services, and Sarah McCarthy-Fry MP, Minister for Schools and Learners have announced a far-reaching set of initiatives to improve the lives of people with autism in England. The measures announced are a direct response to the Cheryl Gillan Autism Bill and address all the outcomes sought in the Bill.

The measures include:

A new legal duty to ensure local authorities and other local agencies include children with autism in their plans for children’s services. This will be part of a new law to be introduced over the coming year.
Statutory guidance for local authorities to reinforce the forthcoming adult autism strategy. The Government have pledged that this will be backed up with funding and support to ensure that “the final autism strategy will have the bite it needs to be delivered”. A consultation on the Autism Strategy will start in April.

These measures, and further details announced today, will compel local authorities to take account of people with autism and their needs, and enable people to challenge their local authority in court if they fail to do so.

What now for the Autism Bill?
Public and parliamentary support for Cheryl Gillan MP and the Autism Bill has been overwhelming. To date around 6,000 people have contacted their MP about the Bill, and we have now exceeded our target to have 100 MPs attend the debate in Parliament on 27 February (in fact we now have 115 MPs)!

The strength of public opinion and the knock-on effect in parliament has prompted the Government announcement above. The measures set out by Ministers cover all aspects of the Autism Bill. Cheryl Gillan MP said: “It was critically important to me that my Private Members’ Bill should cover an area that ordinarily would be overlooked – today’s announcement is a testament to the weight of support from my colleagues and autism campaigners. I will keep campaigning until I hear the Government pledge to fully support people affected by autism in Parliament. The real test will be in how they implement this package of measures in the long term.”

The parliamentary support for autism that you have helped to build, and the debate on 27 February in the House of Commons, can now be used to secure these Government commitments, and to explore the details of how each measure will be implemented.

Thank you so much for your help in securing this huge step forward for people with autism.

With best wishes,

Mark Lever
Chief Executive
The National Autistic Society