Autism: Lee Scott MP Shortlisted For E-Politix Disability Champion Award, UK

Main Category: Autism
Article Date: 17 Nov 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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The UK Autism Foundation is delighted that the Patron of UKAF, Lee Scott MP has been short listed for the ePolitix Disability Champion Award 2008. Lee Scott MP has campaigned night and day for all people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome, not only in the London Borough of Redbridge but right across the UK. So many parents and carers and people with autism have been in touch with him, he has also sought cross party consensus where issues of autism are concerned for example with his Autism Bill - a private member's bill. Lee Scott and I met with Prime Minister Tony Blair last year on autism. He initiated a landmark debate on autism and quizzed Tony Blair in Prime Minister's Questions in April 2007.

Lee Scott is fully supporting the UKAF's 'Vision for Autism, to build the first ever state of the art Autism Centre in London, to build an autism school to service the needs of children with autism from Tower Hamlets to Redbridge, thirdly to build up a fund in order for us to help the poor. There are many more families who are below the poverty line. They desperately need help during the economic downturn. The vulnerable are suffering. The UK Autism Foundation is committed to the poor and we will continue to speak up for the vulnerable and the marginalised in our society.

Recently the UK Autism Foundation launched the Poverty and Autism initiative urging Her Majesty's Government to help families with autism one of the hardest hit groups as a result of the credit crunch and the looming recession. We are calling for greater financial support in the next Budget. We have specifically called for an increase in tax credits, the disability living allowance and carer's allowance. The Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Poverty, John Battle MP, has tabled EDM 2407 currently before the House of Commons supporting our call. Lee Scott has also signed this early day motion. In the House of Lords, Baroness Uddin of Bethnal Green has also released a statement on our initiative on 'Poverty and Autism.'

We urge MPs and Peers to consider voting for Lee Scott in the e-Politix Disability Champion Awards. He has championed the cause of autism in the House of Commons in the Palace of Westminster.

For the e-Politix Disability Champion Shortlist link, please click here.

UK Autism Foundation
Woodford Business Centre
113-115 George Lane
South Woodford
London E18 1AB
United Kingdom
http://www.ukautismfoundation.org