The charity, the UK Autism Foundation has appealed to the three political leaders - Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Leader of the Opposition David Cameron and Leader of the Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg to protect the Autism Community from the predicted 'savage cuts' to public services. In the run up to the General Election in 2010 all three leaders have been speaking about massive cuts.

UKAF has expressed serious concerns that cuts to public services could affect parents, carers,children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome in the United Kingdom. If budgets are cut then autism services may well be affected as local councils and schools may pass on those cuts and the it is the vulnerable who will be hurt by the cuts to public services.

Ivan Corea of UKAF said: 'I have written to Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg seeking assurances that they will protect the vulnerable from the savage cuts to public services. As it is families and people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome are struggling to access public services in education, health and specialist speech therapy. Savage cuts to public services could devastate the vulnerable. The Autism Bill before parliament highlighted the existing postcode lottery to public services - when it comes to autism. Cutting public services will make matters worse. The needs of the vulnerable must be met and we have been calling for ring fenced funding for autism services, ' he said.

There are over 500,000 peope with autism in the United Kingdom. The UK Autism Foundation has also been calling for an increase in tax credits, the disability living allowance and the carer's allowance in order for the Autism Community to cope, during the credit crunch and the recession. Families with autism who are below the poverty line have been struggling to cope with life and the UK Autism Foundation has urged Her Majesty's Government to reach out to the vulnerable.