Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cost of Living: Impact on People with Parkinson’s Disease

Monday 23 January 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Six million people receiving an eligible disability benefit received a 150 disability cost of living payment last year and will receive another 150 this year.
  • The Minister offered to meet Peter Dowd to discuss the impact of the cost of living crisis on people with Parkinson's disease.
  • David Evennett urged the Minister to consider the additional heating costs faced by people with Parkinson's disease.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Peter Dowd Lab Bootle
NHS Benefits & Welfare
Context

Parkinson's disease patients face additional costs due to the cost of living crisis, making it challenging for them to manage their symptoms.

Question

What steps is he taking to help tackle the disproportionate impact of the cost of living crisis on people with Parkinson's disease?

Answer from Tom Pursglove

Six million people receiving an eligible disability benefit received a £150 disability cost of living payment last year, and will receive a further £150 cost of living payment later this year. This is in addition to other Government support, such as up to £900 for those on a qualifying means-tested benefit.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific impact on Parkinson's disease patients was not addressed, only the general disability benefits and cost of living payments.

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Q2 Peter Dowd Lab Bootle
NHS Benefits & Welfare
Context

Parkinson's disease patients face additional heating costs to manage symptoms, and the disability cost of living payment does not cover these expenses.

Question

I thank the Minister for his answer. According to a Parkinson's UK survey, people with Parkinson's disease will pay an extra £1,196 in heating costs to manage symptoms. Those receiving the £150 disability cost of living payment are already £1,000 a year out of pocket, so will the Minister meet me and representatives of Parkinson's UK to discuss this very important issue?

Answer from Tom Pursglove

I am very grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his question. We have worked together constructively on issues in the past, and I would certainly be delighted to meet him on this occasion to discuss this important issue.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific heating costs were not directly addressed or committed to resolving.

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Q3 David Evennett Con
NHS Energy
Context

Parkinson's disease impacts mobility and requires additional heating costs to maintain it, creating financial burdens.

Question

We all know, including the Minister, how disabling and terrible Parkinson's disease is—members of my own family have suffered from it. I therefore urge my hon. Friend the Minister to keep in mind the extra costs of heating that the hon. Member for Bootle (Peter Dowd) has referred to, which these people need to keep their mobility. We should do anything that can be done to help them overcome and live with this awful affliction.

Answer from Tom Pursglove

I thank my right hon. Friend for making that point. Those additional costs that people with conditions such as Parkinson's often experience are something that I am incredibly mindful of. The Government are committed to having a look at the issue of social tariffs, and I will be meeting with the Energy Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Beverley and Holderness (Graham Stuart), to talk about that issue.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific heating costs were not directly addressed or committed to resolving.

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