The prime minister has appointed Ilford North MP Lee Scott to become the country’s special needs envoy in order to help get young people into employment.

Mr Scott will take on the special needs tsar role, which will see him work with employers and special needs groups to encourage employers to hire people with disabilities.

Mr Scott will work with ministers to help shape and introduce government initiatives while working with both private and public sector employers to create more employment opportunities for those who have special needs.

A new scheme is already underway with the likes of car dealership Glyn Hopkin taking part and hiring some of the young people Mr Scott is working with.

Mr Scott said: “We have had an element of success getting young people into work already, there’s a lot more to do and I’ve now been given the mandate to spend time alongside other work in doing that.”

The MP has been working with charities and groups supporting people with special needs for more than a decade after meeting the son of an election opponent in 2002 who had special needs.

“These young people are some of the most loyal individuals who have great abilities - and of course the job they do has to be the right job for them.

“Employers on the scheme won’t regret it - you can actually make a difference in someone’s life.”

Mr Scott - a passionate special needs fundraiser - who is a patron of the UK Autism Foundation, jumped out of a plane last year for St Francis Hospice and is planning to run a marathon later this year.

He said: “This is not a political issue, it’s about helping people and it’s just an honour to be given the role.”

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