Mims Davies MP & Shadow Minister, speaks in Chamber on Buckland Review and Autism in the Workplace
A report of research and recommendations led by Sir Robert Buckland KC MP, supported by Autistica, with secretariat provided by the Department for Work and Pensions.
The Buckland Report can be found here:
The Buckland Review of Autism Employment: report and recommendations - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Sir Robert Buckland said:
I have had a long-standing interest in promoting employment as an essential element in building full and meaningful lives for autistic people.
At the moment only 3 in 10 autistic people of working age are in employment. This means that 7 in 10 of them are unable to access the independence and fulfilment that employment can bring. It also means that employers, and the wider economy, are missing out on the skills and energy that autistic people could be contributing, to the detriment of us all.
I was therefore delighted when the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions agreed to this review identifying the barriers to autistic people securing sustained and fulfilling employment and exploring how we can overcome those barriers. We launched the review on 2 April 2023, World Autism Awareness Day, and over the months since we have spoken to hundreds of organisations and individuals, and drawn all their experience, ideas and good practice into the report and recommendations you will find here.
I have been very impressed by the level of support and engagement from stakeholders, particularly from employers and employer representative groups – the key target for the review. My sincere thanks for all the excellent ideas you have brought forward.
I also extend my thanks to Autistica for their support and to the Department for Work and Pensions for providing the secretariat and organising the review process. Both organisations have been invaluable. And my thanks to the Secretary of State, Mel Stride, the previous Minister for Disabled People, Tom Pursglove, and to the current Minister, Mims Davies, for their support and advice.
Above all, I would like to thank the very many autistic people we have spoken to. We have been careful to ensure that you have had the opportunity to give your views on issues that will be so important to you. I am so grateful for your support.
I believe this report provides a way forward that does not require vast sums of public money but that can produce a radical improvement of autistic employment rates and a radical transformation of autistic people’s lives. I call on everyone to now make this happen.
