Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will increase funding for biomedical research as part of the cross-Government delivery plan for Myalgic encephalomyelitis.

We are committed to improving care and support for people with myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). We recognise how devastating the symptoms can be, and the significant impact they can have on patients and their families.

We intend to provide additional support to ME/CFS researchers to develop high quality funding applications and to access existing National Institute for Health and Care Research and Medical Research Council research funding. All research funding applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality. Our forthcoming ME/CFS delivery plan will outline the additional support we will offer to the research community to increase the volume and quality of applications and, therefore, increase the allocation of funding to this area.

While no specific assessment has been made of the impact of ME/CFS on the economy, we know that long-term conditions like ME/CFS not only impact negatively on patients and their loved ones, but also come at a cost to health and care services and the wider economy through, for example, loss of work and an increased benefits bill.

The content of the delivery plan has not yet been finalised. The responses to the 2023 interim delivery plan consultation, along with continued close engagement with stakeholders, will inform the development of the final delivery plan. We have listened to key ME/CFS stakeholders to allow for more time to develop the plan and help ensure we can be as ambitious as possible across the three themes, to make the most impact for those living with ME/CFS. As such, we aim to publish the plan by the end of June. As well as boosting research, the plan will focus on improving attitudes and education, and bettering the lives of people with this debilitating disease.

People with ME/CFS deserve the most appropriate treatment, and deserve to be confident that the National Health Service can offer that treatment. We recognise that care for people with ME/CFS has varied widely, and in the worst cases has left some people feeling that their illness is not recognised by the health and care system. We know that more research, better services, and a better understanding of the condition all have the potential to make a huge difference in the quality of life of people with ME/CFS.