Letters to the Editor
Bromley Times
Kentish Times Newspapers
539 High Road
Station Road
Ilford, IG1 1UD
16th May 2012
Dear Sir,
Charlotte Humm is absolutely right to draw attention to a national campaign by the National Autistic Society (NAS) which aims to help adults with autism get into work (Letters Page, April 26th 2012).
Shockingly, over half a million people in the UK are autistic, yet only 15 per cent are in fulltime work. This is a tragic waste of talent and employers are missing out on a hugely valuable, untapped pool of loyal and hard working staff. I am in full support of this campaign and its message that there is a sound business case for employing people with autism.
As a Government we are doing everything we can to support autistic individuals in getting a job and remaining in employment where appropriate. As a case in point, my Ministerial colleagues decided to set up an Employers’ Roundtable in conjunction with the NAS, bringing together employers and charities to consider how more people with autism could be helped into work. Earlier this year, the group launched a document called ‘Untapped Talent’, and this provides simple, practical advice for businesses on how they can make adjustments to support adults with autism in the workplace.
My hope is that growing awareness of this issue will lead to an increased number of employers understanding the benefits of hiring someone with autism.
Bob Neill MP