Disabled people with autism people face one of the widest pay gaps of all disability groups. This briefing paper outlines statistics on employment, government policy, and employment support programmes.

Disabled people with autism people face one of the widest pay gaps of all disability groups. This briefing paper outlines statistics on employment, government policy, and employment support programmes.

To ask His Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have had with Sir Robert Buckland concerning his review on employing people with autism.

To ask His Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have had with Sir Robert Buckland concerning his review on employing people with autism.

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they accepted the recommendation in the Buckland Review of Autism Employment to set up a task group to review progress on expanding employment opportunities for people with autism.

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they accepted the recommendation in the Buckland Review of Autism Employment to set up a task group to review progress on expanding employment opportunities for people with autism.

Motion that this House has considered the matter of supporting neurodivergent people into employment. Motion lapsed.

Motion that this House has considered the matter of supporting neurodivergent people into employment. Motion lapsed.

I beg to move,

That this House has considered the matter of supporting neurodivergent people into employment.

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Ms McVey. I am pleased to have secured this debate on an important topic and I want to acknowledge that neurodiversity has a huge range of...

I beg to move,

That this House has considered the matter of supporting neurodivergent people into employment.

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Ms McVey. I am pleased to have secured this debate on an important topic and I want to acknowledge that neurodiversity has a huge range of...

Does my hon. Friend agree that the challenges neurodiverse people face with employment often start at school, and that we need universal screening for neurodivergence, alongside proper teacher training, so that our fantastic teaching staff are given the tools and confidence to identify and support all their pupils?

Does my hon. Friend agree that the challenges neurodiverse people face with employment often start at school, and that we need universal screening for neurodivergence, alongside proper teacher training, so that our fantastic teaching staff are given the tools and confidence to identify and support all their pupils?

I agree with my hon. Friend that recognising neurodivergence in school and giving support at an early stage is incredibly important. As I said, I want to make the distinction and recognise that neurodivergent people and those with learning disabilities are distinguishable groups, both of which I will speak about.

Over...

I agree with my hon. Friend that recognising neurodivergence in school and giving support at an early stage is incredibly important. As I said, I want to make the distinction and recognise that neurodivergent people and those with learning disabilities are distinguishable groups, both of which I will speak about.

Over...

I thank my hon. Friend for securing this important debate. In Wokingham, the Kimel café does a fantastic job taking on neurodivergent youngsters, giving them key skills and including them in our community. Does my hon. Friend agree that more businesses should employ neurodiverse people? Does she also agree that...

I thank my hon. Friend for securing this important debate. In Wokingham, the Kimel café does a fantastic job taking on neurodivergent youngsters, giving them key skills and including them in our community. Does my hon. Friend agree that more businesses should employ neurodiverse people? Does she also agree that...

I do agree and will speak about that.

Local businesses have described employing people with learning disabilities to me as like a game of bureaucratic hopscotch. They can see the end goal but they need to hop from square to square, assessment to assessment, with a lack of resources to dedicate...

I do agree and will speak about that.

Local businesses have described employing people with learning disabilities to me as like a game of bureaucratic hopscotch. They can see the end goal but they need to hop from square to square, assessment to assessment, with a lack of resources to dedicate...

Does my hon. Friend agree that Foxes hotel in my constituency of Minehead is a trailblazer? It is the UK’s only fully operating training hotel for young people with learning disabilities, many of whom have Down’s syndrome. It has shown that structured on-the-job training, dedicated mentorship and clear progression pathways...

Does my hon. Friend agree that Foxes hotel in my constituency of Minehead is a trailblazer? It is the UK’s only fully operating training hotel for young people with learning disabilities, many of whom have Down’s syndrome. It has shown that structured on-the-job training, dedicated mentorship and clear progression pathways...

It is great to hear that example. One thing I am calling for is proper structured apprenticeships.

It is great to hear that example. One thing I am calling for is proper structured apprenticeships.

On the statistics, I agree with the hon. Member that having 30% of autistic people in employment compared with 82% is a huge gap. The Buckland review made clear that without a national campaign to raise awareness among employers, those gaps will persist. Does she agree that the stark gap...

On the statistics, I agree with the hon. Member that having 30% of autistic people in employment compared with 82% is a huge gap. The Buckland review made clear that without a national campaign to raise awareness among employers, those gaps will persist. Does she agree that the stark gap...

I thank the hon. Member for his intervention and I agree that we must provide these people with much more guidance and support, and also give them fair access to work and a career.

In addition to the problems that autistic people encounter in finding and staying in employment, the raw...

I thank the hon. Member for his intervention and I agree that we must provide these people with much more guidance and support, and also give them fair access to work and a career.

In addition to the problems that autistic people encounter in finding and staying in employment, the raw...

The hon. Member may be aware that prior to my election, I worked in diversity and inclusion, and what she says rings true. Does she agree that job coaching and mentoring is crucial in the workplace? It is crucial for anybody doing any job, but it is incredibly empowering and...

The hon. Member may be aware that prior to my election, I worked in diversity and inclusion, and what she says rings true. Does she agree that job coaching and mentoring is crucial in the workplace? It is crucial for anybody doing any job, but it is incredibly empowering and...

I agree with the hon. Member that helping people to stay and flourish in employment, once they are in employment, is hugely important.

I agree with the hon. Member that helping people to stay and flourish in employment, once they are in employment, is hugely important.

As a proud auntie to Benjamin, who is autistic, I am delighted when I hear of employers who are doing great things for neurodivergent people. A constituent of mine, Ian Carlier, is the chief executive officer of Momentic, which supports people to get off benefits and into self-employed work. Does...

As a proud auntie to Benjamin, who is autistic, I am delighted when I hear of employers who are doing great things for neurodivergent people. A constituent of mine, Ian Carlier, is the chief executive officer of Momentic, which supports people to get off benefits and into self-employed work. Does...

I do not know about self-employment being “better”, but it is certainly important, because different things will work best for different people. Neurodivergent people need the same full choice as non-neurodivergent people.

I do not know about self-employment being “better”, but it is certainly important, because different things will work best for different people. Neurodivergent people need the same full choice as non-neurodivergent people.

Specifically on that point, it is important to recognise that neurodivergent people, particularly young neurodivergent people, should be treated individually, as the hon. Member has just suggested. In my constituency, West Notts college offers a number of entirely bespoke courses that are specifically designed have that sort of impact. The...

Specifically on that point, it is important to recognise that neurodivergent people, particularly young neurodivergent people, should be treated individually, as the hon. Member has just suggested. In my constituency, West Notts college offers a number of entirely bespoke courses that are specifically designed have that sort of impact. The...

I thank the hon. Member for Mansfield (Steve Yemm) for his intervention and I congratulate the college that he mentioned. He is absolutely right—one size fits all does not fit anybody, but particularly not neurodivergent people.

I thank the hon. Member for Mansfield (Steve Yemm) for his intervention and I congratulate the college that he mentioned. He is absolutely right—one size fits all does not fit anybody, but particularly not neurodivergent people.

Will the hon. Member give way?

Will the hon. Member give way?