The Rt Hon MP was
recently selected fourth in a ballot of MPs to introduce a Bill
on a subject of his choice in this Parliamentary session
following the State Opening of Parliament by Her Majesty The
Queen in May 2021.
has chosen to
introduce a Down Syndrome Bill, which will be announced on the
floor of the House of Commons later today and debated for Second
Reading on Friday, 26thNovember 2021.
The Down Syndrome Bill will lead to the establishment of a
National Strategy to improve provision and outcomes for all those
living with Down syndrome in the UK. The Autism Act which became
law in 2009 preceded the establishment of the National Strategy
to help meet the needs of adults with autistic spectrum
conditions in England.
The Down Syndrome Act will go further, identifying needs in all
areas, for all individuals with Down syndrome across the whole of
the UK.
The National Down Syndrome Policy Group, in coalition with the
All-Party Parliamentary Group for Down Syndrome, has been
lobbying for the long overdue Down Syndrome Act and have released
a film featuring some of their Trustees who have Down syndrome,
highlighting some of the areas where they hope to see positive
change in the future.
Link: Launch of The Down Syndrome Bill
- YouTube
MP
said:
“I am thrilled to bring forward a Bill to deal with the
issues faced by those with Down syndrome. The full title is ‘A
Bill to make provision about meeting the needs of persons with
Down syndrome; to place a duty on local authorities to assess the
likely social care needs of persons with Down syndrome and plan
provision accordingly; and for connected purposes’.”
“My aim is to deal with three main areas. The first is to
de-stigmatise Down syndrome and to re-educate both the public and
professionals about the advances, including in life expectancy,
that have occurred in recent decades. The second is to ensure
that current provision of services is improved, whether provided
by health, education or local services, by ensuring that
providers give due consideration to those with Down syndrome when
designing service provision. The third is to look ahead and deal
with future issues, such as long-term care, in an era where, for
the first time, many of those with Down syndrome will outlive
their parents. By giving due thought to the issues today we can
prevent avoidable human tragedies in the future.”
Actor and Trustee for the National Down Syndrome Policy
Group (NDSPG) George Webster said:
“A Down Syndrome Act. Why didn’t we think of this before?! We
are all very excited that is sponsoring
a Bill with the aim of improving the lives of people living with
Down syndrome. I would like to see the Bill becoming law, then I
think everyone like me with Down Syndrome will get better
healthcare, more access to services and be more included in
society. It is possible. It happens for some now, but it
shouldn’t be a lottery.”
Peter Brackett, Chair of the NDSPG said:
"For too long the voice of the Down syndrome community has
not been heard. We are delighted that the Down Syndrome Bill will
enable engagement to secure and safeguard the rights and
ambitions of the community across all aspects of society. Having
lobbied hard for this opportunity, our group will be fully behind
and the Down
Syndrome Bill on its journey through Parliament, in line with our
aim of raising the profile of issues affecting people with Down
syndrome, their families and carers.”
What are Private Members' Bills?
Private Members' Bills are Public Bills introduced by MPs and
Lords who are not government ministers. As with other Public
Bills their purpose is to change the law as it applies to the
general population.
There are three ways in which a Member can table a Private
Members' Bill, but Ballot Bills have the best chance of becoming
law, as they get priority for the limited amount of debating time
available.
The names of Members applying for a Bill are drawn in a ballot
held at the beginning of the parliamentary session. 459 MPs
entered the ballot and 20 were drawn. Normally, the first seven
ballot Bills get a day's debate. was drawn in
fourth place.
