Don't take the PIP out of Parkinson's

22 October 2012

Over 12,000 people with Parkinson's joined forces today to urge politicians to ensure people with the condition don't lose vital financial support.

Our petition, which was handed to the Government today, warns that when Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is reformed into the Personal Independence Payment (PIP), it must meet the needs of people with Parkinson's.

People with Parkinson's making their voices heard

Alun Morgan, Parkinson's UK trustee for Wales, was part of the group handing in the petition. He says:

"People with Parkinson's like me have enough to deal with, without getting a raw deal from the benefits system.

"I'm really proud that we surpassed our goal of 9,000 signatures - one for every working-age person with Parkinson's who could be affected by further cuts.

"It's fantastic that so many of us ready to stand up and make our voices heard."

Image: Martin King and Alun Morgan (far left and right), representatives of Parkinson's UK on our welfare reform steering group, with Baroness Gale and Steve Ford, our chief executive

Support from Baroness Gale

Baroness Gale, chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Parkinson's, also added her support today. She said:

"The petition sends a clear message that Parkinson's has to be fully understood and taken into account by the people making changes to benefits.

"It’s a crucial time to speak up next month when politicians will be asked to vote on what the new benefit, PIP, should look like."

The Hardest Hit

This week we're joining join other charities and disability groups in a week of action, organised by the Hardest Hit, to call for a fair benefits system. 

Today a major report - The Tipping Point - found that 8 in 10 disabled people believe that losing their Disability Living Allowance would drive them into isolation, and would leave them struggling to manage their condition.

And 9 in 10 fear that losing Disability Living Allowance would be detrimental to their health.

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