During my time as an MP, I have campaigned hard for the rights of those with autism and other neurodivergent individuals, so I was very pleased to be appointed by the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to lead a new Autism Employment Review.
People with autism have particularly low employment rates – with fewer than three in ten in work.
The Buckland Review of Autism Employment, supported by the charity Autistica and the Department for Work and Pensions, is aiming to change that.
I am delighted to have been asked to lead this important Review. Our workplaces and businesses would benefit so much from the huge potential that autistic people represent.
If we close the employment gap for autistic people, it will not just mean individual fulfilment but a significant boost to employment and productivity for our country.
The Buckland Review of Autism Employment will consider issues including how employers better support autistic staff already in their workforce, what more could be done to prepare autistic people for beginning or returning to a career and working practices or initiatives to reduce stigma.
The review will focus specifically on autistic people and aims to develop solutions that will be acceptable to them. My aim is for it to be effective at improving autistic people’s outcomes and for its proposals to be feasible for employers or public services to deliver.
You can find out more about my review here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-review-to-boost-employment-prospects-of-autistic-people
Sir Robert is Chair of the APPG on Autism
I am proud to have been elected as Chair of the APPG on Autism. The aim of the group is to raise awareness of autism in parliament, and to campaign and lobby for increased awareness and improved support for people with autism and their carers.
I am working very closely with organisations including 'Neurodiversity in Business’ an excellent charity that has been set up to improve the life chances of neurodivergent employees, and GAIN (Group for Autism, Insurance, Investment, and Neurodiversity), as well as Zurich, who are based here in South Swindon.
I am delighted that the insurance industry, championed by Zurich, are taking the lead in creating opportunities for neurodiverse people across their sector.
If you run a local business, large or small, and you would like my support and advice in this area, please do get in touch with me by emailing [email protected]
Press links about my work in this area
https://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/news/23142789.people-autism-needed-workplace---mp/