Pushing in the Lords

Some of The NAS’s friends in the House of Lords have been raising Push for Action issues in Parliament this week.

Yesterday, the new Care Bill was debated in Parliament and Baroness Browning - one of our Vice Presidents - used the opportunity to explain that many people with autism remain unidentified by local authorities and are still not receiving the services they need. She asked the Minister for assurance that the new Care Bill would “ensure that the duties in the Autism Act statutory guidance continue to apply to local authorities and local NHS bodies to ensure the ongoing implementation of that Act.”

The Minister responsible, Earl Howe, responded, saying: “The autism strategy and its statutory guidance mark a great step forward for adults with autism in England... As local areas gain a better understanding of autism needs locally and develop autism commissioning plans we expect local authorities to look more at the cost benefits of more low-level and preventive services such as befriending services or social skills training.”

On Monday, Lord Touhig also secured time in Parliament to ask ‘Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the findings of the campaign by the National Autistic Society, Push for Action, launched on 14 May.’

You can watch live here on 17 June at 2.30pm to see how the Minister responds.