We recognise the huge amount of uncertainty facing members of the MS community following the publication of the Government’s Pathways to Work Green Paper on the 18 March 2025 and the Spring statement made on the 26 March 2025.
Their proposals affect Personal Independence Payment, Universal Credit, Employment Support Allowance, Access to Work and more. The reforms are significant and are likely to impact some people with MS as well as a large number of other claimants.
We are working through the implications of the Government’s latest announcement for people with MS and will share this with you as soon as we can. However, while these new proposals may be very worrying for you, it’s important to note that there will be no immediate changes to the benefits you receive, and some proposals will still need to be passed as law by Parliament.
If you have any concerns about what they may mean for you in the meantime, you may want to contact an MS Society benefits adviser or take a look at our page on benefits for some other advice organisations.
The Government has opened a public consultation into some of the proposals and you can have your say until 30 June 2025. We would also strongly recommend contacting your MP to explain the personal impact these changes will have, along with why your benefits are a lifeline for you. It’s also important to ensure you process any outstanding benefit claims now, this will ensure you are registered within the current system before any changes are confirmed.
Whilst the exact implications of the proposals are being worked through in the coming weeks, the MS Trust will remain in close contact with other campaigning charities. We will continue to advocate for people with MS by listening to the MS community and voicing your concerns with the relevant authorities.
Lucy Taylor, MS Trust CEO states
People living with MS rely on their benefit payments to enable them to fund essential living costs, such as travel to and from medical appointments. Removing this lifeline will be extremely detrimental to both their physical and mental wellbeing. We urge the Government to reconsider its approach.
