Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help people receive updated autism assessments for use in Personal Independence Payment applications; whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of creating a system for people to formally register an autism diagnosis for use in future Personal Independence Payment applications; and whether his Department is taking steps to provide financial support to people with autism who do not qualify for Personal Independence Payments.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is intended to act as a contribution towards the extra costs that arise from needs related to a long-term health condition or disability. Entitlement is assessed on the basis of the needs arising from the health condition or disability, rather than a diagnosis of the health condition or disability itself. Any information that a claimant wishes to submit in support of their claim can be considered where that would help establish the needs arising, including an autism assessment. We have no plans to change these arrangements.

Someone with autism who does not qualify for PIP may be entitled to other forms of financial support such as Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit.