Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the policy papers entitled (a) The national strategy for autistic children, young people and adults: 2021 to 2026 and (b) Autism strategy implementation plan: 2021 to 2022 (Annex A), when he plans to publish the Autism strategy implementation plan for 2022 to 2023.

There is currently no confirmed publication date for an updated implementation plan in relation to the national strategy for autistic children, young people and adults: 2021 to 2026 (published July 2021).

We are currently prioritising updating the Autism Act statutory guidance to support the National Health Service and Local Authorities to deliver improved outcomes for autistic people in line with the national Strategy. We expect to publish an updated implementation plan for subsequent years of the Strategy in due course.