Gloucestershire is one of the areas awarded a share in Government funding to help adults with learning disabilities and autism into employment.

The £7.6 million Government initiative will help over 2,000 people in 24 areas of England and Wales.

In Gloucestershire, £210,000 will be available to support 60 jobseekers with learning disabilities and autism.

Each local authority area will support between 60 and 140 adults with learning disabilities, autism or both to move into competitive employment and provide the help they need to maintain that employment.

Chloe Smith MP, minister for disabled people, said: "Disabled people deserve the same opportunities to start, stay and succeed in employment as everyone else.

"We know that those with autism and learning disabilities can face particular barriers to employment, which is why we're spending £210,000 here in Gloucestershire through the Local Supported Employment initiative.

"We hope to break down those barriers and use local networks to help more disabled people reach their full potential."

Evidence from other supported employment programmes suggests that at least 30 per cent of participants should start some form of work following involvement in the initiative.

The longer-term ambition is to provide further evidence to local authorities of the value of supported employment, to help drive further investment and secure effective employment for more people with learning disabilities, autism or both.