Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they expect that the number of people with autism detained in mental health hospitals will have reduced by 50 per cent by March 2024.

We have made significant progress towards reducing the number of people with a learning disability and autistic people in inpatient mental health settings.

For people who have a learning disability and who do not have an autism diagnosis, the data shows that has been a 57% reduction in the number of people in hospital since March 2015. For people who have both a learning disability and autism diagnosis, there has been a 33% reduction in the number of people in hospital since March 2015.

However, the number of people with an autism diagnosis, who do not have a learning disability, in hospital inpatient settings has increased significantly over the same period. As such, we know there is more to do. This is why we are investing an additional £121 million in 2023/24 to improve community support as part of the NHS Long Term Plan, including funding for Children and Young People’s keyworkers. In addition to this, all Integrated Care Boards should have an executive lead on learning disability and autism to increase local oversight and expertise in commissioning, and NHS England has published updated policy and guidance on Care (Education) and Treatment Reviews and Dynamic Support Registers to help ensure people get the right support to stay well in their communities.