Autism Employment 2026-04-29
2026-04-29
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the challenges fa [2D [K faced by individuals with autism in finding employment.
What steps are being taken to support autistic pe [2D [K people into work? I recently chaired an employment roundtable where individ [7D [K individuals highlighted that a significant barrier is employer fear of maki [4D [K making mistakes when recruiting or supporting autistic employees, leading s [1D [K some employers to opt out. How will the Government address this fear factor [6D [K factor and incentivise recruitment?
The supported employment programme Connect to Work [K will be open throughout England and Wales by summer, including a specialist [10D [K specialist pathway for neurodivergent people. We funded ACAS to deliver mas [3D [K masterclasses on recruiting neurodivergent people to 1,800 SME representati [12D [K representatives this year and set up an online support with employer health [6D [K health and disability service.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific incentives to address employer fears wer [3D [K were not mentioned beyond the availability of training and resources.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP highlighted a concern that employers [9D [K employers are hesitant to hire autistic employees due to fears of making mi [2D [K mistakes, affecting recruitment.
What steps will the Government take to address em [2D [K employer concerns about hiring autistic individuals and incentivise them to [2D [K to recruit such workers? This includes addressing the fear factor among emp [3D [K employers and providing support to overcome these barriers.
We funded ACAS to deliver masterclasses on recruiti [8D [K recruiting neurodivergent people to 1,800 SME representatives this year and [3D [K and set up an online support with employer health and disability service. W [1D [K We are considering what more we can do.
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Assessment & feedback
Concrete actions to address employer fears beyond [6D [K beyond training were not specified.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the closure of CL [2D [K CLASS+ service by East Sussex county council, which supported people with a [1D [K autism towards independent futures including employment.
Does the Minister agree that we should be expandi [7D [K expanding services to support autistic people into work instead of shutting [8D [K shutting them down? The Conservatives are closing such services in Eastbour [8D [K Eastbourne. What action will be taken?
I agree with the hon. Member about the importance o [1D [K of expanding support for autistic people into work, not shutting them down. [5D [K down. We received an expert academic panel report on neurodiversity in the [K workplace last year and are considering its recommendations.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific actions beyond agreeing with expansion w [1D [K were not detailed.
Response accuracy