- Dunfermline and Dollar MP Graeme Downie sought to amend the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill with cross party support of 63 MPs.
- The amendment was not selected to be voted on but Downie intervened to challenge the DWP’s Minister Sir Stephen Timms on additional payments for people with Parkinson’s and other fluctuating conditions
- Minister Stephen Timms confirmed the criteria will protect anyone who has been diagnosed with a severe condition like Parkinson’s
Dunfermline and Dollar MP Graeme Downie has secured a commitment from the government that people with Parkinson’s, MS and similar conditions, will not be prevented from applying for additional support through the health component of Universal Credit.
Speaking in the Committee Stage debate of the Universal Credit Bill, Graeme Downie said:
“I have heard concerns from those living with [Parkinson’s], and their carers, about the problems they already face accessing support through the welfare system because of misunderstanding of the fluctuating nature of the condition.
“I am concerned someone with Parkinson’s could never be a Severe Conditions Criteria Claimant because they might not be able to meet the descriptor “constantly.”
“Can I ask the Minister to confirm that it is not the government’s intention to restrict the ability of people with Parkinson’s to be Severe Conditions Criteria Claimants and access additional support?”
In his contribution, Graeme Downie also highlighted his view that welfare reform is urgently needed, noting he hears examples “every day” of how his constituents have been let down by the Conservative-designed welfare system, as he urged the Minister to ensure that the proposals protect people with severe conditions.
In an intervention to Mr Downie’s speech, the Minister sought to reassure concerns about the criteria, explaining how training material will guide assessors by saying:
“… this does not in any way exclude people diagnosed with a condition subject to fluctuation or variability.”
Speaking after the debate, Graeme Downie MP said:
“I have sought assurances from the Minister and welcome his specific confirmation that no one with fluctuating conditions like Parkinson’s or MS will be restricted from being able to apply for the Health component of Universal Credit even where their symptoms fluctuate.”
“Along with charities representing disabled people, including Parkinson’s UK and the MS Society, I will monitor the application of these guidelines to ensure they work in practice as I believe Ministers intend. If they do not then I will press Ministers to make the necessary changes to ensure they do.”
ENDS
- Amendment 17 to the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill can be viewed here.
- Graeme Downie was elected as the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on 8 July 2025
- Graeme Downie has set out his view on the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill here
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