UK parliament -New autism strategy must deliver change for autistic people

Samantha Fletcher

The Committee’s new report—titled Time to deliver: The Autism Act 2009 and the new autism strategy —calls on the government to urgently produce and implement a robust new autism strategy by July 2026, when the existing one expires. UK Parliament Committees+1 It emphasises that past strategies, though well-intentioned, have lacked concrete funding, clear responsibility, and meaningful accountability — so outcomes for autistic people remain unacceptably poor. UK Parliament+1 Among its core recommendations: the new plan must set clearly defined, costed commitments, name the responsible parties, and involve autistic people and their supporters directly in its design and delivery. UK Parliament+1

The report outlines a broad range of areas where change is urgently needed — from speeding up autism assessments and improving ongoing support, to ensuring better access to education, healthcare, employment, and justice. UK Parliament+2UK Parliament+2 It calls for a shift away from crisis-driven, short-term responses, toward a lifelong, preventative, community-based support model. UK Parliament+1

Ultimately, the Committee concludes that while the original Autism Act 2009 was landmark legislation, 16 years later, autistic individuals still face systemic inequalities — in diagnosis, support, health, education, employment and social inclusion — and that the new strategy must deliver real, measurable change.

https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/770/autism-act-2009-committee/news/210570/new-autism-strategy-must-deliver-change-for-autistic-people/