Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of providing a targeted financial support package for (a) people living with multiple sclerosis and (b) their carers.

The Government understands that people across the UK and especially the most vulnerable members of society, such as those suffering from long-term health conditions and their carers, are worried about the rising cost of living. That is why the Government is taking decisive action to get households through this winter, while ensuring we act in a fiscally responsible way.

If individuals have extra-costs arising from multiple sclerosis, then they may qualify for disability benefits such as Personal Independence Payments (PIP). People in receipt of extra-costs disability benefits such as PIP, Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) will receive a one-off Disability Cost of Living Payment of £150 from 20th September, to help disabled people with the rising cost of living. The DWP has already processed around 6 million such payments. Carers will also benefit from this payment if they live in the same household as the person for whom they care.

A one-off £650 Cost of Living Payment is also being delivered to those on means-tested benefits. Individuals who have limited ability to work because of their health condition, and are in receipt of means-tested benefits such as income-related Employment and Support Allowance or the Universal Credit Health top up, are eligible for this support. Carers with low incomes and in receipt of qualifying benefits such as Universal Credit will also benefit from this Cost of Living Payment.

Those living with a long-term health condition such as multiple sclerosis, and their carers, can also benefit from other forms of non-means-tested support which the Government is providing to assist with household energy bills. We have taken decisive action to support millions of households with rising energy costs this winter through the Energy Price Guarantee. In addition to the Energy Price Guarantee, millions of the most vulnerable households will receive further support this year through the £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme. The £150 Council Tax rebate will also mean that all households in Council Tax bands A-D will receive a rebate, and 99% of eligible households have already received this. Lastly, to support households who need further help or who are not eligible for elements of the wider package of support, the Government is also providing an extra £500 million of local support to help with the cost of essentials until the end of March 2023, via the Household Support Fund.

We are continuing to keep the situation under review and are focusing support on the most vulnerable whilst ensuring we act in a fiscally responsible way.