Autism Bill: Third Reading Debate
Brooks Newmark congratulates Cheryl Gillan MP for steering her private member's Bill to this stage and asks the Government what advice is given to Jobcentre Plus staff to help young people with the condition into work.
Mr. Brooks Newmark (Braintree) (Con): Before I ask a question on this very subject from a constituent I met a couple of weeks ago, I would like to congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs. Gillan) on introducing the Bill. On behalf of the relevant families in Braintree, I also congratulate the Government on supporting such an important Bill.
Two weeks ago, I met a constituent with a young son, probably quite low on the autistic spectrum, who had found it difficult to get a job. I have heard what the Minister has said about training to support people with autism in getting a job, but with only 15 per cent. of young adults as a whole gaining access to full employment, I am still not-
Mr. Deputy Speaker (Sir Michael Lord): Order. I am reluctant to interrupt the hon. Gentleman, particularly given the subject we are debating this Friday, but I would be grateful if he would now put his question.
Mr. Newmark: I would like to finish my sentence, Mr. Deputy Speaker. My question on behalf of my constituent is: what advice will be available to people working in Jobcentre Plus, for example, to help young people like my constituent's son gain access to a job? I am still not clear about that, and we all agree that all our constituents deserve access to full employment.
Ann Keen: As I continue my speech, I will address that point. I recognise that the difficulty raised by the hon. Gentleman is, sadly, a common one, but the Bill and the strategy are intended to help deal with it.
