28 January 2011
A summary of recent M.E. related stories in the news. Headlines appearing in the media as dated.
Treated unfairly
Letter from Sir Peter Spencer, Action for M.E., responding to an article saying that the Department for Work and Pensions claim that 94% of people receiving Employment and Support Allowance were ‘trying it on’. Sir Peter emphasised that the DWP is at odds not with our findings but with the recommendations of the official Harrington review. He insisted that the Government took steps to implement Professor Harrington’s recommendations.
Daily Mail, p 70
28/01/11
Internal Vs independent
Professor Harrington talks about potential confusion as recommendations of the internal review of the Work Capability Assessment are rolled out. The concern is that this will happen only shortly before his recommendations from the independent review begin to be implemented. Rt. Hon. Chris Grayling, Minster for Work and Pensions is also interviewed.
BBC Radio Four, You & Yours
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b00xw14z/You_and_Yours_26_01_2011
26/01/11
Living in fear
Article about parents of children with M.E. being afraid of being prosecuted due to lack of understanding about the illness.
newsnetscotland.com
20/01/11
Trio of challenges
Matt Wearmouth, whose girlfriend has M.E., is doing a half marathon, a coast-to-coast bike ride and then climbing Mount Killimanjaro to raise funds for the ME Association.
Loughborough Echo, p 27
28/01/11
Government scores nil
Rachel Deakin, who has M.E., took part in a protest against benefit cuts outside Chesterfield’s Jobcentre on Tuesday.
Derbyshire Times, p 16
27/01/11
Barely afford to eat
Iris Willis, from Rosehill, organised a protest against the government’s benefit crackdown outside Burnley Town Hall this week. Mrs Willis has CFS.
thisislancashire.co.uk
http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/news/8811684.Burnley_grandmother_angry_at_benefit_cuts/?ref=rss
25/01/11
Support for M.E.
Gillian Broughton, from Billinge, talks about her M.E. and how she has set up a support group for the illness. Call 01744 89350 for more details.
Wigan Observer, p 63
25/01/11
Ask the experts
Letter from Helen Mayor, Birmingham, saying she has M.E. and asking if there’s any natural remedies she could try. Naturopath Simon responds by saying that echinacea and astragalus are recommended, and that ginseng and gingko biloba, kelp and bee pollen can help to increase energy levels.
Full House, p 22
03/02/11
The information contained within each press summary is provided for your personal information only. It does not necessarily reflect the views of Action for M.E.
