The Government has announced a £1.6bn investment into social care. This is to help councils respond to the additional pressures the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic is putting on social care services.

Jane Harris, Director of External Affairs at the National Autistic Society, said: "The emergency funding for social care is desperately needed. We hope it will help councils to continue to support autistic children and adults who need round the clock care during this unprecedente​d pandemic."

"But the Government must monitor this situation closely over the comings days and weeks – and take any further action to make sure the already severely-stretched social care system does not crumble. Anything else would fail tens of thousands of vulnerable people."

Further information

We have information and resources about Coronavirus to help you during this difficult time. We will be updating and expanding our information in the coming days.