The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) announced the Buckland Review of Autism Employment on Sunday 2 April 2023 to mark World Autism Day. The review will be led by Sir Robert Buckland KC MP and is supported by the DWP and Autistica.

Tim Nicholls, Head of Influencing and Research at the National Autistic Society, said: “We welcome the announcement of the autism employment review led by Sir Robert Buckland MP to better support autistic people into work.
  
“Urgent action is needed as the autism employment gap is still far too wide, with only 29% of autistic people in employment, compared to around half of all disabled people and 80% of non-disabled people.  
   
“Autistic people have a huge amount to offer employers, and more and more businesses are recognising the benefits of having a diverse workforce full of people who offer a variety of skills and different ways of thinking. But still many autistic people face huge barriers in finding and staying in work. Better understanding of autism in the work place could transform thousands of autistic people’s lives. 
   
“This review alone won’t ensure autistic people are able to fully realise their potential in the work place but it’s a really valuable step towards closing the employment gap. The Government must also fully fund its national autism strategy so that autistic people can get the vital support they need.”