The UK Autism Foundation has been consistently campaigning long and hard on behalf of poor families with autism and Asperger's Syndrome - it is the vulnerable who are suffering as a result of the credit crunch and the recession. UKAF wrote to the Chancellor Alistair Darling and lobbied Her Majesty's Government for increases in the disability living allowance, the carer's allowance, child benefits and tax credits for parents, carers,children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome.

UKAF heard from Financial Secretary Stephen Timms MP of HM Treasury earlier this year. The Financial Secretary personally contacted UKAF and assured his support. We were delighted that our campaign resulted in HM Treasury increasing the disabilty living allowance, carer's allowance and the child benefits for one year from 2010-2011 in the April Budget. This was announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling in his Pre-Budget Report.

Ivan Corea said: 'We welcome the increases in the disability living allowance, carer's allowance and child benefits for parents, carers, children and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome - albeit it is for one year, from 2010-2011 and it will all depend on the next Chancellor taking this forward after the General Election. It is the vulnerable who have been suffering as a result of the credit crunch and the recession.They will need on-going help even after 2011. The UK Autism Foundation has been campaigning hard on financial help and support for parents, carers and people with autism and Asperger's Syndrome. We urge political leaders to see to the needs of the poor.'