New briefing underscores the devastating impact of proposed PIP cuts on people with Long Covid and ME.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a vital lifeline for many people living with Long Covid and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME). Our new briefing - produced in collaboration with Long Covid Support, Action for ME, #ThereForME, and ME Local Network - shares evidence from a survey of over 1,200 people with these conditions. However, proposed changes by the UK Government would drastically restrict access to this support, worsening health, driving people further from work, and increasing poverty. Many carers would also be forced to take on more unpaid care, reducing their own ability to work. These impacts directly undermine the government’s stated aims.
Key Findings:
- Cutting PIP will push people with ME and Long Covid further from the labour market..
- The proposed PIP reforms will remove a vital source of support for people with ME and Long Covid.
- The current PIP assessments already systematically underestimate the disabling impact of ME and Long Covid.
Recommendations:
- Withdraw the proposed PIP reforms, which will cause avoidable harm, are based on flawed assumptions, and will fail to meet their stated goals.
- Develop a new Disability Strategy co-produced with disabled people.
- Address systemic flaws in how PIP applications are assessed.
- Invest in biomedical research and accessible healthcare
- Embed these actions within the forthcoming ME/CFS Delivery Plan
Read the full briefing here.
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