The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) (APPG on ME) is a cross-party group of MPs and Members of the House of Lords who work to raise awareness of ME and improve the lives of people affected by the condition.
The APPG on ME focuses on improving health and social care, education and employment opportunities for people with ME, as well as encouraging biomedical research into the causes, which will hopefully lead to effective treatments for ME. The main aim is to bring these issues to the attention of the UK Government, prompt Parliamentary debate, and engage relevant organisations — such as the NHS and DHSC — who are responsible for implementing positive change.
The ME Association is a member of Forward ME, one of many organisations and charities working together to support the APPG on ME's activities and closely follow their engagement with parliamentarians.
Who are the members of the APPG on ME?
Please visit the APPG on ME website to find the list of current members.
When is the next APPG on ME meeting?
The next All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) meeting on ME will be held in September.
Date: 2nd September 2026
Time: 1-2pm
Location: Room T, Portcullis House
The meeting will discuss the initial findings of Action for ME’s Big Survey and explore what action members can take to redress the issues identified.
The APPG will also hold an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) to appoint a new Vice Chair as Jo Platt MP has been appointed as a Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to the Prime Minister, Andy Burnham in July.
Where can I read the minutes from the previous APPG on ME meeting?
Meeting minutes from previous meetings an be found here
How can you help support the ME/CFS community?
You can send a letter to your local MP, encouraging them to join the APPG on ME and to attend the APPG on ME meetings.
How to find your MP
Use the following website search function to find the contact details of your MP:
N.B. Please check if your MP is an APPG on ME member. If they are, there is no need to send the general template letter below. Please visit the APPG on ME website to find the list of current members
Sending a letter to your MP
Key things to include:
- Your full name
- Your full postal address, including postcode — this is particularly important to identify the person is within their constituency
- Email address – if you require an answer via this method
- Telephone number (if comfortable sharing)
- The MP's correct name and title — check the current details using Parliament's Find your MP service
- A clear subject line for an email
- A concise explanation of the issue — ideally one or two pages rather than a long history.
- What you want the MP to do — e.g. contact a UK Government department, raise the matter with a Minister, seek clarification, support a particular change, or arrange a meeting.
- Relevant reference numbers (if applicable)
- Supporting documents (if required)
Email is usually considered the best way to send your letter, if the matter is urgent or time sensitive. You can send it directly to the MP's parliamentary/constituency office email listed on their Parliament profile. Post can still be used and can be a printed record of the correspondence.
When would you expect to receive a response?
There isn't a universal statutory deadline for an MP to respond to a constituent.
As a practical rule:
- Non urgent matters should allow around 10–14 days
- Important/time-sensitive matter: It is recommended that you explicitly if there is a deadline i.e. an Early Day Motion to attend Urgent matter: contact the constituency office by telephone (if relevant to do so)
When should I follow up?
If you do not receive a response after 2 weeks, Parliament's own campaigning guidance suggests contacting the office by telephone if you haven't heard back after about two weeks.
Also remember that an MP may need to write to a UK Government department on your behalf, so the MP's eventual response can take considerably longer and be delayed from the initial acknowledgement of receipt of the letter. If this is the case, the timeframe may be extended to 20 days.
Supporting people with ME/CFS
Thank you to everyone that is able to write to your MP to raise the important issues surrounding ME/CFS. We are often the voices for others who may be unable to campaign in this way, and we know the community sincerely appreciates those who help raise these issues to parliament.