30 June 2009
Fifty-one members of parliament in the House of Commons in the Palace of Westminster have signed an early day motion tabled by Lee Scott MP backing the call of the UK Autism Foundation for a substantial increase in the carer's allowance for all carers looking after children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome.
Ivan Corea said: 'I am delighted that over fifty parliamentarians of all parties have signed EDM 1551 on Autism and the Carer's Allowance. The Government must support parents and carers - autism is a 24 hour job, many carers are not even receiving allowances. The UK Autism Foundation is calling on the Government to substantially increase the carer's allowance and support parents, carers,children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome. Many are facing poverty because of the credit crunch and the recession. Families with autism need urgent support. I am grateful to Lee Scott MP for tabling this motion, he has been championing the cause of autism. We have been campaigning solidly for the Government to address the needs of families with autism who are below the poverty line.'
The early day motion was tabled by Lee Scott MP who has campaigned tirelessly for autism and Asperger's Syndrome in the House of Commons. Scott was shortlisted for the ePolitix Disability Champion Award in 2008 for his hard work on disability issues. Scott is a member of the House of Commons Select Committee on Health.
EDM 1551 now before the House of Commons states:
'That this House pays tribute to and acknowledges the valuable contribution made by thousands of parents and carers in supporting the needs of children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome; supports the call of the UK Autism Foundation urging the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to consider a substantial increase to the carer's allowance; shares the concern of the UK Autism Foundation that the present economic crisis is plunging some parents, carers and families with autism into poverty; and backs the call of autism campaigners for the Government to increase tax credits, the disability living allowance and the carer's allowance in order for parents, carers and children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome to survive the credit crunch and the deepening recession.'
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd