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Minister urged 'keep autism bill' Minister urged 'keep autism bill'
(4 days later)
The government has been urged not to block an MP's bill aimed at improving support for people with autism.The government has been urged not to block an MP's bill aimed at improving support for people with autism.
Tory MP Cheryl Gillan's Autism Bill is due to be debated on Friday, after she came top in the ballot allowing MPs to introduce private members' bills.Tory MP Cheryl Gillan's Autism Bill is due to be debated on Friday, after she came top in the ballot allowing MPs to introduce private members' bills.
But minister Phil Hope has told MPs to say the government is planning work that will achieve the same "outcomes". But minister Phil Hope has written to MPs to say the government has plans that will achieve the same "outcomes".
Mrs Gillan believes he will try to talk out or vote down the bill before it gets to the detailed committee stage.Mrs Gillan believes he will try to talk out or vote down the bill before it gets to the detailed committee stage.
MPs who come top in the annual ballot get Parliamentary time to launch their bills but they need government backing and cross-party support to succeed.MPs who come top in the annual ballot get Parliamentary time to launch their bills but they need government backing and cross-party support to succeed.
Support neededSupport needed
Mrs Gillan said she had chosen the subject because nothing was being done in the area and she wanted a worthwhile cause that would attract cross-party support.Mrs Gillan said she had chosen the subject because nothing was being done in the area and she wanted a worthwhile cause that would attract cross-party support.
Her Autism Bill, which gets its second reading on Friday, would place a duty on local authorities and NHS bodies to fulfil their responsibilities towards people with autism.Her Autism Bill, which gets its second reading on Friday, would place a duty on local authorities and NHS bodies to fulfil their responsibilities towards people with autism.
We believe this action is best taken without recourse to legislation which risks restricting the flexibility of service commissioning and provision Phil HopeCare services ministerWe believe this action is best taken without recourse to legislation which risks restricting the flexibility of service commissioning and provision Phil HopeCare services minister
In a letter to MPs, Mr Hope said people with autism and their families "often do not get the support they need and deserve and this must change".In a letter to MPs, Mr Hope said people with autism and their families "often do not get the support they need and deserve and this must change".
But he said the government believed it was best done without legislation and was already planning work to achieve the same results.But he said the government believed it was best done without legislation and was already planning work to achieve the same results.
This included a strategy consultation for adults with autism in April which would include "statutory guidance" - something campaigners say is new and would make local authorities legally accountable for providing support.This included a strategy consultation for adults with autism in April which would include "statutory guidance" - something campaigners say is new and would make local authorities legally accountable for providing support.
'Landmark victory''Landmark victory'
He also said they would look at collecting data on adults with autism and ministers would consult on statutory guidance which would mean disabled children's needs were "properly reflected" and services are "better tailored" to meet autistic children's needs.He also said they would look at collecting data on adults with autism and ministers would consult on statutory guidance which would mean disabled children's needs were "properly reflected" and services are "better tailored" to meet autistic children's needs.
"We believe this action is best taken without recourse to legislation which risks restricting the flexibility of service commissioning and provision," he wrote."We believe this action is best taken without recourse to legislation which risks restricting the flexibility of service commissioning and provision," he wrote.
I've had no assurances on the floor of the House. I have had a private meeting with the minister and we have had a memo - that's not good enough Cheryl GillanI've had no assurances on the floor of the House. I have had a private meeting with the minister and we have had a memo - that's not good enough Cheryl Gillan
The National Autistic Society described the letter as a "landmark victory" for campaigners which they said was due to pressure exerted by Mrs Gillan's bill.The National Autistic Society described the letter as a "landmark victory" for campaigners which they said was due to pressure exerted by Mrs Gillan's bill.
They said it could "help to address the shocking lack of autism services which leaves people affected by the condition feeling isolated, ignored and often at breaking point".They said it could "help to address the shocking lack of autism services which leaves people affected by the condition feeling isolated, ignored and often at breaking point".
But Mrs Gillan told the BBC that the government had yet to deliver on a promise made last May to carry out a "prevalence study" into autism.But Mrs Gillan told the BBC that the government had yet to deliver on a promise made last May to carry out a "prevalence study" into autism.
"We have been in this position before," she said, adding she would not withdraw the bill but would wait until Friday to see if the government allowed it to progress to the detailed committee stage."We have been in this position before," she said, adding she would not withdraw the bill but would wait until Friday to see if the government allowed it to progress to the detailed committee stage.
"I can't withdraw it. I've had no assurances on the floor of the House. I have had a private meeting with the minister and we have had a memo - that's not good enough," she said."I can't withdraw it. I've had no assurances on the floor of the House. I have had a private meeting with the minister and we have had a memo - that's not good enough," she said.
"We have got to wait and see what he says on Friday but he's not convinced me.""We have got to wait and see what he says on Friday but he's not convinced me."
"All I can do is appeal to my colleagues and rely on the undertakings they have given me that they will be there and will vote.""All I can do is appeal to my colleagues and rely on the undertakings they have given me that they will be there and will vote."