APPG on ME launches legacy paper consultation 22 Oct 2009

APPG on ME launches legacy paper consultation

A consultation on the Legacy Paper for the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on M.E. was launched yesterday (October 22). The current Chair of the APPG, Dr Des Turner, intends to stand down at the next General Election, due sometime before 3 June 2010.  Comments on the draft APPG legacy paper should be sent to the Secretariat no later than 19 November 2009.  The Countess of Mar, who is Secretary of the Group, thanked people with M.E. and Action for M.E. for the work done so far in producing the draft.  The main speaker at the meeting was the Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, who described her own personal experience of M.E. and answered a number of questions. In particular, she reassured people with M.E. that it was not the Government’s intention to change working-age Disability Living Allowance under current care reform proposals.  Other topics on the agenda included an update on the APPG Inquiry into NHS services, which is expected to produce a report before the next meeting of the APPG, which will take place on Wednesday 2 December 2009. A Minister from the Department of Health would be invited to attend.  In addition to the Chair, Dr Turner and the Secretary, the Countess of Mar, the meeting was attended by Vice Chairs Andrew Stunell MP and Tony Wright MP (Vice Chairs), plus Bill Wiggin MP and Russell Brown MP.  Minutes and a transcript of the meeting will be produced in due course. SOURCE:  Website of The M.E. Association (UK)