Summary
- Parliamentary Question: Steve Darling, MP for Torbay, asked about the estimated economic cost of economic inactivity due to myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME).
- Government Response: Alison McGovern, MP for Birkenhead and Minister of State for the Department for Work and Pensions, confirmed no estimate has been made regarding the economic cost of inactivity due to ME.
- MEA View: The ME Association aligns with the position of the Scope Charity, warning that tightening conditions for disabled people to search for work when unwell could have negative consequences.
On the 27 January 2025, Steve Darling, Liberal Democrat MP for Torbay, asked the following Parliamentary question, which was answered by Alison McGovern, Labour MP for Birkenhead and the Minister of State for the Department for Work and Pensions.
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent estimate she has made of the cost to the economy of economic inactivity due to myalgic encephalomyelitis.
Answer
The Department has not made an estimate of the cost to the economy of economic inactivity due to myalgic encephalomyelitis.
The Department is committed to supporting disabled people and people with health conditions, including myalgic encephalomyelitis, with their employment journey.
As part of our Get Britain Working plan, more disabled people and people with health conditions will be supported to enter and stay in work. We will devolve power to local areas to shape a joined-up work, health, and skills offer meeting the needs of the people they serve.
MEA Comment
The ME Association agrees with the position put forward by the Scope Charity and that was quoted recently in the Independent:
“Louise Rubin, head of policy at disability equality charity Scope, said: “It’s good to see a positive vision for supporting disabled people who want to work, but …
Tightening up conditions so that disabled people are forced to look for work when they are unwell will be disastrous.”
More Information
- ME Association: The Work Capability Assessment Consultation | October 17, 2023