Down Syndrome Act 2022

Down Syndrome Act 2022
Act of Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Long titleAn Act to make provision about meeting the needs of persons with Down syndrome; and for connected purposes.
Citation2022 c. 18
Dates
Royal assent28 April 2022
Status: Current legislation
Text of statute as originally enacted
Text of the Down Syndrome Act 2022 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.

The Down Syndrome Act 2022 (c. 18) is an act of Parliament introduced as a private member's bill and sponsored by Conservative MP Liam Fox. It was described as "world leading" by MP Ian Paisley Jr and is intended to make legal provisions for people living with Down's syndrome.[1] It was introduced by Baroness Hollins in the House of Lords.[2]

Background

In the United Kingdom, it is estimated that there are 40,000 people living with the condition.[3]

The bill recognises people with Down's syndrome as a specific minority group, and ensures their specific social care needs are met.[4] It is the first such legislation in the world.[5]

Support

The bill was supported by the Conservative Disability Group,[6] Down's Syndrome Policy Group[1] and actor Tommy Jessop.[7]

The bill had the following cross-party co-sponsors in the House of Commons: Ben Lake, Ian Paisley, Lisa Cameron, Mark Logan, Nick Fletcher, Layla Moran, Darren Jones, James Daly, Flick Drummond and Elliot Colburn.[8]

Criticism

Critics of the bill said that it used a medical rather than a needs-based approach to people's needs, and discriminated against people with learning disabilities caused by other conditions or with no specific diagnosis, who had similar or greater needs to those of people with Down's Syndrome. There appeared to have been little consultation with organisations such as the Down's Syndrome Association, and little was known about the newly-formed National Down Syndrome Policy Group which was supporting the bill.[9][10][11]

Passage

On 26 November 2021, it was debated at Second Reading.[12] On 22 March 2022, an event was held at Parliament to celebrate the government announcing their support for the bill.[13] The act received royal assent on 28 April 2022. [14]

References

  1. ^ a b "'World-leading' Down's syndrome bill clears first hurdle in Parliament". BBC News. 26 November 2021. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Down Syndrome Bill could fail if amendments proposed, peers warned". MSN. Archived from the original on 22 March 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  3. ^ "A world without Down's syndrome?". BBC News. 29 September 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  4. ^ "'We've been ghosted by the system' - Families call for more Down Syndrome help". ITV News. 26 November 2021. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  5. ^ "Down's syndrome bill could be world's first, says former cabinet minister". Disability News Service. 7 October 2021. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  6. ^ "Breaking News: Proposed Bill for those with Down Syndrome". The Conservative Disability Group. 16 June 2021. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  7. ^ Dathan, Matt (13 November 2021). "Down syndrome law gives children more of a chance". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  8. ^ https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2021-06-16/debates/a73b62c6-ea95-4645-9536-d0b19665f244/CommonsChamber
  9. ^ Roberts, Martin E. (15 May 2023). "Update: Down Syndrome Act - Cri du Chat Support Group". Cri du Chat support group. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  10. ^ Kaur, Ramandeep; Unwin, Stephen (7 December 2021). "Reason Not the Need: The 'Down Syndrome Bill' is a Retrograde Step". Byline Times. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  11. ^ Norris, Sian (10 March 2022). "Medicalisation and Hidden Agendas: The Down Syndrome Bill Faces Multiple Criticisms". Byline Times. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  12. ^ "Down Syndrome Bill to help ensure that people with the condition will have their social care needs met". Sky News. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  13. ^ "Hundreds Take To Parliament In Support Of Liam Fox's Down Syndrome Bill". Politics Home. 22 March 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  14. ^ "Down Syndrome Act 2022". 28 April 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2023.