Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department prepared for potential legal challenges to the Down Syndrome Guidance upon the passing of the Down Syndrome Act.

Under the Down Syndrome Act 2022, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, is required to publish and give guidance to relevant authorities in health, social care, education, and housing services on what they should be doing to meet the needs of people with Down syndrome.   The Department considered potential legal challenges throughout the development of the Down Syndrome Bill and the guidance under the Down Syndrome Act 2022.

The Government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity and improving outcomes for disabled people, including those with Down syndrome. The consultation on the Down Syndrome Act draft guidance closed on 30 March 2026, and the Government is carefully considering the responses received to inform the final guidance.