§ Mr. DunnachieTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will take steps to ensure that any new incapacity assessment for ME sufferers will take account of the variability of ME; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ScottDepartmental studies have researched the extent to which certain factors such as fatigue and variability affect capacity for work. This research has been incorporated into the development of the medical test so far.
People with conditions such as ME may be able to carry out the various activities in the test once but cannot maintain this performance because of cumulative fatigue. The all-work assessment will take into account the fact that a person must be able to repeat activities over a period of time to be capable of work. In the assessment, the Benefits Agency medical services doctor will consider a person's abilities over time, rather than the person's optimum performance.