Government accused of 'sitting on' delayed report into learning disabled deaths

The Health Secretary is under mounting pressure to release a long-delayed report into the deaths of learning disabled and autistic people in England.

The Department of Health and Social Care is being accused of “dragging their feet” and “sitting on” the findings by Parliamentarians and disability campaigners, who describe the delay as “appalling”.

The Learning from Lives and Deaths report, known as LeDeR, is an annual investigation into the deaths of every adult with a learning disability and autism with the aim of preventing future deaths.

The unpublished report relates to deaths in 2023 and was due to be released last year.

ITV News has learnt the report was submitted by King's College and handed to NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care last December.

Liberal Democrat peer Lord Scriven, who has spoken to ITV News about the death of his nephew, who was learning disabled and autistic, has submitted two urgent questions to the government seeking an explanation for the delay.

He is yet to receive a response.

“The LeDeR report has experienced an unacceptable delay in its release,” he told ITV News.

“The extended wait for the LeDeR report's publication raises important questions. It suggests either that the report contains findings which are challenging for the Government and healthcare system or that the preventable deaths of people with learning disabilities are not being given the priority they deserve by those at the top of Government.

“Like many, I am keen to see this report made public. I am calling for the immediate publication of the LeDeR report and would welcome an explanation from Wes Streeting regarding the ongoing delays.“

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Source: ITV News, 16 July 2025