Benefits plans will 'harm people with multiple sclerosis'

A leading multiple sclerosis charity has suggested that the government's proposed changes to the benefits system will adversely affect people with the disease.

The coalition has vowed to replace the staggered benefits system with a new universal credit, but it is also introducing stricter controls for Employment Support Allowance (ESA).

This new system is designed to find those people who have recovered sufficiently from their illness and deemed "fit for work" and put them back on to Jobseekers Allowance.

However, according to the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society, people with MS often experience fluctuating symptoms, which could find them declared well enough to work and benefits being lost as a result.

MS patient Helen Thomas told the charity: "I had a relapse in January, and a further one in April, and I am still not right now.

"These plans put people under pressure to return to work before they are well enough."

Read about Barchester expertise in offering multiple sclerosis support.