In a statement to the Senedd yesterday, the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Vaughan Gething, said the Welsh Government does not currently support the principle of an Autism Bill for Wales.

However, in a meeting with the Cabinet Secretary this morning, Paul Davies outlined his intention to formally introduce legislation over the next few weeks to achieve improved outcomes for the autistic community in Wales.

The draft Autism (Wales) Bill is currently making its journey through the National Assembly and has attracted support from members of all political parties.

Commenting, Preseli Pembrokeshire AM, Paul Davies said:

“There is overwhelming support for primary legislation and whilst the Cabinet Secretary outlined the government’s current position yesterday, the door is far from shut.

“The introduction of primary legislation would ensure that services for both children and adults are put on a statutory footing, which is desperately needed to address some of the many hurdles faced by the Welsh autism community.

“Similar laws exist in other parts of the UK – and it’s time for the same rights to be extended to people with autism in Wales.

“Such a bill could ensure that there are clear pathways to diagnosis, and help staff dealing with people with autism get the training they need, so I do hope Labour backbenchers will be allowed to reiterate their previously expressed support free from any potential government-imposed whip.

“This is a significant opportunity for the National Assembly to introduce laws which have a profoundly positive influence on the community, and I sincerely hope that it will attract the support of a majority of Welsh Assembly Members.”