Major Initiative On Poverty And Autism In The UK

Main Category: Autism
Article Date: 03 Nov 2008 - 0:00 PST

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A major initiative has been launched in the United Kingdom on Monday 3rd November in a bid to convince the Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his Chancellor Alistair Darling to reach out and help the vulnerable - families with autism in the Budget. Autism campaigners in the UK point out that the credit crunch and the recession is devatating the vulnerable and the marginalised.

The highly influential parliamentarian, John Battle MP who is Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Poverty, is tabling a motion in the House of Commons in the Palace of Westminster, supporting the UK Autism Foundation initiative.

A leading peer from the House of Lords, Baroness Uddin who has campaigned tirelessly on poverty in the East End of London has issued a statement supporting the initiative. The Baroness Uddin said: 'Both the UK Autism Foundation, headed by Ivan Corea and I are calling on the Prime Minister to help the disadvantaged by increasing tax credits, the disability living allowance and the carer's living allowance in the Budget.The vulnerable are in financial pain - many will be in fuel poverty this winter. Others face the traumatic prospect of house re-possessions. This must be stopped. Where would vulnerable children end up if their homes are taken away from them. They need urgent help and I join with autism campaigners in appealing for greater financial support for parents, carers, children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome.'

Dame Stephanie Shirley, a leading British autism campaigner and entrepreneur, visits the London Borough of Redbridge for the first time, as part of the initiative to meet with parents, carers and people with autism. ' An Evening with Dame Stephanie Shirley', has been organised by the UK Autism Foundation, Redbridge Parents in Partnership and the autism parents group STAAR. Also speaking at the key meeting is Val Davies of the Family Fund.

Ivan Corea of the UK Autism Foundation said: 'I urge the Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling to come to the aid of the vulnerable. Some families with autism have been devastated by the credit crunch and the economic downturn. They need urgent help in the Budget. We call on the Prime Minister to listen to the voices of the vulnerable.'

UK Autism Foundation

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UK Autism Foundation