Alongside the promised Personal Independence Payment (PIP) review, the Government has just announced a new Independent Disability Advisory Panel and will soon invite applications from the public. For people with ME/CFS or Long Covid, this is a potential opportunity to shape policy from the inside – and to test whether co-production is actually meaningful in practice.
Government launches Independent Disability Advisory Panel – apply soon
The Department for Work and Pensions has appointed disability rights expert Zara Todd to chair a new Independent Disability Advisory Panel. The panel will advise across health and disability policy, embedding lived experience in design and delivery. It is expected to include Deaf and disabled people and people with long-term health conditions. An Expression of Interest process will be launched on GOV.UK soon, inviting applications for panel membership. The panel will run separately to the Timms Review of PIP, with relevant expertise shared between the two.
What this means for people with ME/CFS or Long Covid
Potential route to representation: applications may open for lived-experience members, but meaningful influence will depend on independent selection, transparent terms of reference, and real decision-making power. Trust among disabled people is currently very low. The panel’s independence, membership mix, and transparency will be early indicators of whether co-production is genuine—not just attendance at meetings.
What to do now
- Keep an eye on the forthcoming Expression of Interest page on GOV.UK. We will share the link and key dates as soon as it goes live.
- Tell us if you plan to apply: the ME Association can help you prepare a short statement, describe your experience safely, and identify reasonable adjustments.
- Email ella.smith@meassociation.org.uk for more information.
Sector calls for “more than tokenistic” co-production
This week’s joint letter from 18 advice, disability and anti-poverty organisations urges the Government to ensure broad representation, independent evaluation of the co-production process, full transparency, and a substantive parliamentary vote on outcomes. As members of the Disability Benefits Consortium (DBC), the ME Association supports these asks.
MEA position
- We welcome the creation of the Independent Disability Advisory Panel and the decision to open public applications.
- We will press for representation that includes people with ME/CFS or Long Covid, publication of the panel’s terms of reference and minutes, and clear routes for sharing evidence between the panel and the PIP review.
- We are proud to contribute to policy through meaningful contributions and ongoing engagement in the DBC.
Next steps
We will circulate the application link, deadlines and guidance as soon as the Government publishes the Expression of Interest. In the meantime, if you are considering applying and live with ME/CFS or Long Covid, let us know so we can support you to put yourself forward.