AUTISTIC people are guaranteed better care, it was said today, after a “groundbreaking” proposal by a Buckinghamshire MP were today made law.

The Autism Bill – put forward through a Private Members' Bill by Chesham and Amersham MP Cheryl Gillan – passed its final stage after being voted through the House of Lords.

It means all local authorities and NHS trusts will be obliged to keep records of people with autism in order to provide better care for them.

Until today, this was not a legal requirement.

The Bill's introduction also means health and social care services can face legal action if they fail to provide support for the 500,000 people in the UK affected by autism.

Mrs Gillan said: “I’d like to thank everyone for their support. It is extremely rare that a Private Members’ Bill goes on to become law, so this is a triumph for people with autism and their families.

“It’s a real testament to the overwhelming level of parliamentary support for this chronically excluded group.

“I hope it will make the crucial difference in their lives that people with autism need and deserve.”

The National Autistic Society said the Autism Bill – set to become the Autism Act when it receives Royal Assent – was “groundbreaking”.

Chief Executive Mark Lever said: “We’d like to thank Cheryl Gillan MP and the thousands of autism campaigners, MPs and peers for their support – together we have made legal history.

“Thousands of adults with autism told us they were experiencing serious mental health difficulties due to a lack of support.

“After a year of lobbying, this is the watershed moment they have been waiting for – this law could literally transform lives.

“It will add serious weight to the forthcoming adult autism strategy so now we’ll be keeping the pressure up on Government to make sure they get it right and deliver lasting change for people with this serious, lifelong and disabling condition.”