Nusrat Ghani, MP for Wealden, is supporting Dr Liam Fox MP’s Down Syndrome Bill.
The Bill aims to improve services and life outcomes for people with Down syndrome. It does this by requiring that a number of authorities when providing certain health, social care, education and housing services take account of government guidance. Placing a statutory duty on relevant authorities to have due regard to the guidance ensures that there is a level playing field for people with Down syndrome.
There are around 47,000 people with Down syndrome in the UK, and many face significant challenges throughout all stages of their lives. People with Down syndrome and their families can struggle to access services such as speech and language therapy, additional educational support, and appropriate levels of social care support. The Bill will raise relevant authorities’ awareness of their existing legal duties, and improve knowledge and understanding of how to meet the needs of people with Down syndrome.
The Government announced that it will support the Down Syndrome Bill. It has also been welcomed by the charity Down’s Syndrome Scotland over hopes that it will establish a national strategy for equality in all parts of the UK.
Nusrat Ghani said: “I am proud to be supporting this Bill and I welcome the Government’s response supporting the campaign. We know that people with Down syndrome often have poorer health outcomes than other people with a learning disability. The prospective Down Syndrome Act 2022 would be the first legislation of its kind in the UK and internationally and it will make a real difference to many lives.”
