Politics England

 

The Autism Act

The Strategy for Adults with Autism:

In response to The Autism Act the Strategy for Adults with Autism was published on 3 March 2010. The strategy sets a clear framework for all mainstream services across the public sector to work together for adults with autism.

Actions in the autism strategy include a new National Autism Programme Board to lead change in public services set out in the strategy; a programme to develop training with health and social care professional bodies (backed by a £500,000 investment); autism awareness training for all Job Centre Disability Employment Advisers; guidance on making public services accessible for adults with autism, like improving buildings, public transport and communication; and a clear, consistent pathway for diagnosis

  • Click here to find out more from the Department of Health on the strategy for adults with Autism in England.

 

Cross Party Group on Autism in the UK Parliament

The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Autism (APPGA) was established in February 2000 to raise parliamentary awareness of autism and campaign for changes to government policy. Members of the APPGA come from all the major political parties, working together to promote the interests of people with autism and their carers.

  • Click here to find out more at the APPGA Website
  • You can also contact APPGA by emailing appga@nas.org.uk

The Officers (the MPs who sit on the group) include:
Chair of APPGA Charlotte Lesley (Conservative MP for Bristol North West);
Treasurer John Buckland (Conservative MP for Swindon South);
Secretary Russell Brown (Labour MP for Dumfries and Galloway);
Vice Chair Robert Flello (Labour MP for Stoke-on-Trent South);
Vice Chair Annette Brook (Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Dorset and South Poole);
Vice Chair Steve Brine (Conservative MP for Winchester and Chandler’s Ford);
Vice Chair Jonathan Renolds (Labour MP for Stalybridge and Hyde).

  • Click here to find more detail on the APPGA’s Officers

The Officers of the Group have decided that the APPGA should publish a Manifesto setting out the goals that will drive its work. This Manifesto is the result of extensive consultation within the autism movement.

  • Click here to read the APPGA Manifesto

The APPGA has an advisory group to provide expert advice to the Officers of the APPGA on autism and current policy issues affecting people with autism and their families.

  • Click here to find out who are members of the advisory group

Many other MPs and Lords are members of the APPGA to help raise autism awareness.

  • Click here to find out if your MP is a member

If you are unaware who your MP is, you can find out here (you can also use this website to contact your MP, to find out what your or any MP has officially said in Parliament, what MPs political interests are and you can use the search bar to find out what is being said about autism).

All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) are informal, cross-party, interest groups of MPs and Peers interested in a particular issue. APPGs do not have any power to make laws and are not funded by Parliament. There is a great number of APPGs, covering many and diverse fields such as health, education, transport, defence, finance, the media, and sports. Some APPGs have existed for many decades whereas others come and go in response to issues of the day. The APPG on Autism has been in existence since 2001.