Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what information his Department holds on the proportion of people who have been diagnosed with autism or Asperger's syndrome and who have been in employment in each of the last five years.

The Department does not hold information on the proportion of people who have been diagnosed with autism or Asperger's syndrome in each of the last five years who have been in employment

As is described in the Government’s Autism Strategy, a number of government departments and agencies are working to update or improve a range of data on people with autism, in order to build up a better understanding of their challenges and needs.

The Government’s Autism Strategy, and the updated Statutory Guidance published in March 2015, sets out in detail how Government will support the autism agenda nationally.

The Autism Strategy can be viewed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/think-autism-an-update-to-the-government-adult-autism-strategy

The Statutory Guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/adult-autism-strategy-statutory-guidance