Government Ministers (DHSC, DWP and DfE) to give evidence on implementation of Autism Act

On Monday, the House of Lords Autism Act 2009 Committee will be hearing from Ministers from the Department for Health and Social Care, Department for Work and Pensions and Department for Education.  

The purpose of the session is to scrutinise the Government's implementation of the Autism Act, the current Autism Strategy and what the Government plans to do when the current strategy ends in 2026.  

The session will take place at 2:45pm on Monday 30 June and can be followed live on parliamentlive.tv 

Giving evidence will be: 

• Stephen Kinnock MP, Minister of State for Care, Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)  

• Alison McGovern MP, Minister for Employment, Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) 

• Catherine McKinnell MP, Minister for School Standards, Department for Education (DfE)  

Topics the committee is likely to cover include: 

• What the Government wants to achieve for autistic people in the context of wider strategic aims and spending plans  

• Whether the Government will produce an implementation plan for an updated autism strategy 

• What powers the Government has to take action if local authorities and NHS bodies do not fulfil their statutory responsibilities for autistic people  

• Government plans to understand the needs of and provide services for all autistic people in the context of higher diagnosis rates 

• What the Government is doing to improve public understanding and acceptance of autistic people 

• What action is needed to ensure everyone referred receives a high-quality autism assessment within the recommended 13 weeks  

• How the Government plans to reduce health inequalities for autistic people 

• How the Government will ensure effective support in the community for autistic people 

• How the Government plans to improve access to education for autistic children and young people 

• How positive transitions to adulthood and employment can be ensured 

• The impact on autistic people of government plans to reduce economic inactivity and to make changes to benefits policy 

• How employers can be incentivized to provide autistic job applicants and employees with the support they need