2020 was a difficult year for everyone, but our campaigns community still spoke out on issues affecting people with MS.
In January we handed in an open letter to the Prime Minister signed by 21,000 of us demanding change to unfair PIP assessments. Find out more about our PIP campaigning work here.
We were also part of the Disability Benefits Consortium’s (DBC) 119,000 strong petition. Together we’ve been calling for disabled people on benefits, such as Employment and Support Allowance, to be given the same £20 a week increase as those on Universal Credit. To find out more information about the issues raised, visit our website here. This campaign will continue with a DBC action planned before the UK Government sets out its annual budget in March.
We listened to your experiences about living through a pandemic and raised a number of concerns. These included access to food and essentials, shielding and employment. We also highlighted the need for more support from key health professionals like physiotherapists or occupational therapists. In the autumn, together we called on almost every local health decision-maker to improve local rehabilitation services for people with MS. An amazing achievement! Visit our website here to read more.
Thanks to people with MS sharing their stories, siponimod was approved on the NHS in England, Wales and Scotland. This is the first new treatment approved for active secondary progressive MS in over a decade! We expect a decision in Northern Ireland very soon. We know this treatment won’t be suitable for everyone, so we’re still investing in research and campaigning for more treatments.
What’s coming up in 2021
In 2021 as well as keeping disability benefits high on the agenda, we’ll be focussing on:
calling for improvements to social care and MS services
speaking out for carers
ensuring that people with MS can access the treatments they need on the NHS
And much more!
Find out how we’ll be supporting you to take action locally on the issues which matter to you by visiting our website here. Watch out for the launch of our new Volunteer Campaigner role coming soon.
We look forward to speaking out together again. With your help we can be even louder this year. If you’re not yet involved and would like to be, follow this link to sign up to hear more about our campaigns.
