Brooks supports the Autism Bill and local disability centre
On Friday 27th February, Brooks Newmark voted for the Autism Bill to move forward to Committee - the next stage on its path towards becoming legislation.On Friday 27th February, Brooks Newmark voted for the Autism Bill to move forward to Committee - the next stage on its path towards becoming legislation.
Last year, Conservative MP Angela Browning helped introduce a Private Member's Bill on autism, which aims to 'Recognise the numbers of people with autism, to provide effective transition from child to adult services, and to ensure appropriate support and services thereafter'.
On Friday 27th February, the Rt Hon Cheryl Gillan MP, the Conservative Shadow Secretary of State for Wales, took forward the Autism Bill for Second Reading after winning a House of Commons ballot to decide which MPs should sponsor legislation in the current parliamentary session.
After a groundswell of support for the Bill, it was passed by 131 votes to 25.
Brooks says, "In the run-up to the Second Reading of the Autism Bill I was amazed by the amount of correspondence I received from constituents, urging me to vote for the Bill. I think that this is a real indication of the effect that autism has on so many lives within Britain today, and of the long overdue need for change in how we support those with disabilities. I am delighted that I was able to attend the Second Reading and vote for the Autism Bill to move forward to Committee Stage. I look forward to the continuation of this unprecedented support for autism, as we move ever closer towards having this country's first piece of autism legislation."
Friday 27th February also saw success for those suffering locally with disabilities. Brooks congratulated the Brainwave Centre in Witham as it was presented with a donation of £775 by Deborah Gearon, Barclays Branch Manager in Witham.
Brooks says, “The Brainwave Centre provides invaluable support for children with disabilities both locally and in the wider community, and I am very pleased that even amid current economic circumstances, Barclays is continuing with its charitable work. I think that today really shows the growing understanding and support in this country for those with disabilities, both at a national level with the progress of the Autism Bill, and locally with this donation to the Brainwave Centre. Now, we must focus on building on this momentum and ensuring that progress made at both the national and local level is fully coordinated so that those with disabilities receive the best possible care and support.”
For full details of the Autism Bill debate please see http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090227x/deb...
For more information about the work of the Brainwave Centre, please visit www.brainwave.org.uk
Photo: (back) Deborah Gearon, Barclays; Brooks Newmark, Malgorzata Piorkowska, Senior Physio; Helen Gilfillan, Administrator; Pamela Schomberg, Artist and supporter; Phil Austin, Trustee, (front) Nicola Kelleher, Developmental Therapist, and Claire Pemrick, Occupational Therapist
