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Thousands of autistic people in the UK set to lose their support
Internal documents reveal the massive impact of reforms
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By Peter Clark (Senior Editor, Autism Info Center) Monday 24th August 2026 |
Almost one hundred and forty-five thousand citizens will reportedly lose crucial support for autism under sweeping new reforms to a national disability scheme.
Internal government estimates show that an unprecedented number of people will be systematically taken off the funding programme by the end of the decade.
Experts warn that many of those affected by these drastic cuts will be vulnerable people under the age of eighteen.
Families of autistic children have publicly stated that their support plans are already being significantly slashed or rejected entirely.
Many parents are being told to wait for alternative community support programmes that do not currently exist and may never receive adequate funding.
The massive overhaul of the disability support system has sparked outrage among advocacy groups who argue that the changes will force people with disabilities to withdraw completely from society.
The government claims that the reforms are absolutely necessary to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the scheme.
However, critics point out that the human cost of these financial savings will be devastating for thousands of families who rely on this funding for daily survival and essential therapies.
Advocacy organisations are demanding an immediate halt to the planned reductions and a thorough review of the internal modelling.
Source: The Guardian (UK)
https://www.theguardian.com/society/autism
Further reading, listening and viewing...
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