The UK Autumn 2024 Budget, presented by Rachel Reeves, signals a decisive shift in the country’s fiscal strategy. With a headline increase of £40 billion in tax revenue, the budget aims to undo the damaging effects of 15 years of austerity. While this influx of funds could support essential public services, the neurodivergent community stands at a crossroads of opportunity and risk. For them, the success of this budget depends on its execution and prioritisation, as well as its ripple effects on the economy and employment.

A Positive Step Towards Addressing Austerity

The £40 billion increase in tax revenue is a bold step towards reversing the harmful effects of austerity, which hit marginalised groups, including the neurodivergent community, the hardest. Years of funding cuts left critical services overstretched, leading to significant barriers for neurodivergent individuals in accessing education, healthcare, and employment support.

Enhanced investment in public services, as outlined in the budget, has the potential to address these shortcomings:

• Special Educational Needs (SEN) Services: The government has committed an additional £1 billion to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision funding, marking a 6% real growth. This investment could lead to smaller class sizes, better-trained staff, and more accessible resources tailored to neurodivergent students.
• Healthcare Services: The Department of Health and Social Care is set to receive an additional £22.6 billion in 2025-26 compared to 2023-24. This could enhance diagnostic services, provide better mental health support, and expand therapies for conditions like autism and ADHD.
• Welfare Benefits and Universal Credit: Increased funding could create a stronger safety net for neurodivergent individuals, many of whom face barriers to stable employment and financial independence. If you’re under State Pension age and you get benefits, they’ll go up by 1.7% in April 2025. This includes benefits like Universal Credit, PIP, and ESA. This admittedly is not  a significant amount but its an increase non the less

While these measures represent a significant step forward, their success hinges on transparent and effective allocation of resources. The government’s ability to prioritise neurodivergent needs amidst competing demands will determine the long-term impact of these investments.

Challenges for Businesses and Employment

While increased tax revenue benefits public services, the budget places a substantial financial burden on businesses. Higher corporation tax and increased employer contributions are key elements of this fiscal strategy. For neurodivergent individuals, this could translate into significant employment challenges:

• Wage Stagnation: Companies grappling with higher costs may freeze wages or halt bonuses, affecting overall morale and economic stability.
• Job Insecurity: Businesses may downsize to manage expenses, which could disproportionately affect neurodivergent workers, particularly those requiring reasonable adjustments.
• Reduced Hiring of Neurodivergent Talent: Despite reasonable adjustments often being low-cost, misconceptions about their expense could deter employers from hiring neurodivergent candidates.
• Decreased Investment in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): Companies under financial strain may deprioritise DEI initiatives, rolling back progress in fostering inclusive workplaces.

The neurodivergent community already experiences higher unemployment rates than the general population. To counteract these trends, the government must support businesses with incentives for inclusive hiring practices and address biases that may deter companies from hiring neurodivergent talent.

Private Schools and Neurodivergent Students

Another significant policy shift is the removal of charitable status for private schools. Many private schools cater to students with special educational needs, offering smaller classes and tailored support that public schools may not always provide.

This change could disproportionately affect neurodivergent students whose families rely on private education. Middle-income families, in particular, may struggle to afford these higher fees, despite making significant sacrifices to secure the best opportunities for their children.

However, the government has clarified that local authorities funding places for students with special needs at private schools will be compensated for the VAT they incur. This measure could prevent disruption for some neurodivergent students. Furthermore, if the additional revenue from taxing private schools is reinvested into state-funded SEN services, public schools may become better equipped to provide equivalent support, reducing reliance on private institutions.

Removing charitable status from private schools is also part of a broader effort to address educational inequities. As those who attend private schools typically enjoy better life chances, this policy is an attempt to create a more level playing field for all students.

Moving Forward

The Autumn 2024 Budget presents a complex landscape for the neurodivergent community. While increased public funding offers hope for addressing systemic inequalities, the financial strain on businesses and private schools could exacerbate challenges. To ensure that the budget benefits neurodivergent individuals, the government must:

• Allocate Funds Strategically: Prioritise investment in SEN services, healthcare, and welfare benefits to ensure long-term impact.
• Support Businesses: Offer incentives or subsidies to encourage inclusive hiring practices and reduce financial barriers to accommodating neurodivergent talent.
• Raise Awareness: Educate employers on the low cost and high return of reasonable adjustments and the value of neurodiverse workplaces.

The path forward is not without challenges. Economic growth will play a crucial role in sustaining these initiatives, and the neurodivergent community must remain vigilant in holding the government accountable. Yet, it is also important to recognise that neuroinclusion is one of many pressing priorities for the government, alongside healthcare, defence, and foreign policy.

Every £ invested in neuroinclusion ultimately reduces costs elsewhere, be it through reduced unemployment, better mental health outcomes, or increased productivity. As the UK faces difficult decisions amidst a significant budget deficit, the value of such investments cannot be overstated. Building a neuroinclusive society is not just a moral imperative—it is an economic one.

Final Thoughts

This budget marks a pivotal moment for the UK’s neurodivergent community. It is a step toward righting past wrongs, but success depends on careful execution and sustained commitment. With economic, social, and political factors at play, all stakeholders must work together to ensure that the promise of a brighter future for neurodivergent individuals becomes a reality.