We’re Failing Autistic People, Minister Admits

Tens of thousands of people with autism have been repeatedly let down by the social care and health system while Labour has been in power, a minister has admitted.

In a damning indictment, Phil Hope, the care services minister, said there was “no doubt” that, despite years of campaigning by parents and charities for better services, such as respite care and tailored therapies, people with autism have “not been well served”.

He said the government would launch an adult autism strategy in April to be followed by a 12-week consultation period with possible statutory guidance that would require local authorities to make improvements. Research to establish the scale of demand for services across the country, originally announced last May, would also finally get under way, he confirmed.

“I recognise that adults with autism have not been well served by the health and social care system. That is true. I am not going to try to deny that because it is true. The past has not been good enough,” Hope said.

The National Autistic Society published research last year that found that two-thirds of councils did not know how many children with autism were in their area and only two knew the number of adults. Tory MP Cheryl Gillan has tabled a private member’s bill to compel them to do so. She said the government were moving in the right direction but accused the minister of pre-emptive action to frustrate her bill. Hope conceded that the bill “has had an impact”.