A personal Email from me to Munira Wilson about Benefits cuts

BySteve

Email sent on: 24/03/2025 20:23

Dear Munira,

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the recently proposed cuts to disability benefits, which are expected to reduce the benefits bill by £5 billion by the end of the decade. As someone affected by Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), I fear these changes will have a significantly detrimental impact on people like me, who rely on this support.

The proposed tightening of eligibility criteria, especially now rejecting summation of different incapacities for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) means that only the most severely disabled will qualify, potentially leaving up to 1.2 million people without essential support. This is particularly concerning for those with ME/CFS, a broadly debilitating neurological condition affecting at least 250,000 people in the UK. Many have developed ME/CFS following COVID-19, further increasing the number of individuals requiring assistance.

Below is an illustration (adapted, please see note below) showing the unfairness of the new points scoring system proposed, where combinations of incapacities would not be considered equivalent e.g. to the proposed score of four or more in one specific incapacity:

PIP Eligible vs PIP Ineligible

The reduction in benefits not only threatens the financial stability of disabled individuals but also risks increasing strain on local councils and the NHS. As people lose access to PIP, they may be forced to rely more heavily on council-funded care services, overwhelming already limited resources and leading to increased administrative and emergency service costs.

I urge you to consider the following actions:

  1. Oppose the proposed cuts to disability benefits: Recognize the long-term consequences these reductions will have on disabled individuals and the broader community, and advocate for policies that protect the most vulnerable.
  1. Continue your support All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on ME: Your participation is already helping to ensure that the voices of those with ME/CFS are heard and that their unique challenges are addressed in policy discussions.
  1. Advocate for the implementation of the 2021 NICE guidelines and the forthcoming Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) Delivery Plan for ME/CFS: These documents provide comprehensive recommendations for the diagnosis, management, and support of individuals with ME/CFS.

I would be grateful for the opportunity to discuss these concerns further personally and to hear your stance on this critical issue.

I would like to request a face-to-face meeting at one of your Twickenham surgeries in the near future please, if not perhaps a Zoom or a telephone call.  Please let me know if and when this would be possible.

Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter.

Yours sincerely,

Steve

Note: Image included above adapted from (totally unrelated) Neurodiversity article by “Teaching Times Group”

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