Campaign Update #17: Will the plan deliver?
Your essential update on the Delivery Plan for ME/CFS
It’s been a while since our last proper update on the Delivery Plan for ME/CFS. That’s not for a loss of interest but because, well, not a whole lot has happened lately. With a new minister - Ashley Dalton - taking the reigns in February, it wasn’t unexpected that we’d see a lull in the process. Ministers like Ashley Dalton cover a range of issues and it can take time for new postholders to get fully briefed on everything they need to know.
While a delay to the process wasn’t a big surprise, we’re pleased to report that the wheels of Whitehall finally seem to be turning again on the Delivery Plan. We’re here in your inbox to give you an update on everything we know so far.
A brand new timeline
Just over a week ago health minister Ashley Dalton confirmed to parliament that the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is now expecting to publish the Delivery Plan for ME/CFS by the end of June. DHSC has communicated the same timeline to members of the Task and Finish Group, which we’re expecting will meet again before the Plan is finalised (though we’re waiting to hear more details).
While another delay to the Plan is frustrating, we’re pleased to see a concrete timeline announced. Almost three years into this process, three months is relatively short delay. From our perspective, it’s critical that DHSC uses the extra time to develop a stronger, more ambitious Plan. Interestingly, when Dalton announced the new timeline in parliament she explained:
“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.”
The question now is: what does ‘as ambitious as possible’ mean to this government? And will that be sufficient to deliver the level of change that people with ME so desperately need?
Will the government change course?
As our readers will be aware, one of the key issues we’ve been following is funding for the Delivery Plan, and so far, unfortunately, we haven’t seen obvious changes on that front. The minutes from the meeting of the APPG on ME last month include this update from DHSC officials:
“There is also the forthcoming spending review which will determine budgets from 2026- 27 onwards and discussions about what this looks like are happening currently. The financial context is very well known. The approach is about how to be creative and how to use what’s already in place and how to prioritise ME within this.
[…]
There has been no new funding secured to support the delivery plan yet from previous spending reviews.”
It is indeed spending review season in Westminster. The spending review is set to determine government departments’ budgets for day-to-day spending until 2028/29, with the final allocations due to be published in early June. DHSC’s comments to the APPG suggest that the department may not be anticipating additional funding for the Delivery Plan through the spending review, although it remains unclear whether or not the department has asked for Delivery Plan funding in this round. (Westminster insiders, our DMs are open.)
Either way, with DHSC’s annual budget in the region of £200 billion it’s fair to say that more could be done to “use what’s already in place” to fund improvements to ME care and research. Politics is a tough business and, to put it bluntly, money talks. Whether or not the government intends to fund the Plan is a litmus test for whether bettering the lives of people affected by ME is a priority for this government. Who here believes that it’s possible to improve education and training on ME across healthcare, education and welfare professionals on a budget of zero? Boost research? Better lives?
People with ME have experienced decades of promises. What we need now is action. Whether the government will to commit to funding the action that is needed remains an unanswered question.
A final push on #FundThePlan
In case you hadn’t clocked by now, #ThereForME HQ is a team of optimists and so we remain convinced that there is still time for the government to change course.
In the current economic circumstances, this won’t be an easy battle. But we’re determined to do everything we can to make the case that investing in people with ME isn’t just the right thing for this government to do, but the smart thing to do as well. We’re a resourceful community. Just imagine what we could do if our potential were unleashed on the world.
Over the next couple of months we’ll be stepping up our campaign to #FundThePlan with a final push. Here’s a few ways you can help us:
Talking to the media: If you made a #FundThePlan video, you can let us know if you’d be happy to talk to the media about it.
Sending us your intel: A reminder that our #ThereForME suggestions box is always open. Got a supportive local MP you think could be an ally for #FundThe Plan? A media contact to share? Let us know.
Writing to your MP: We’ve also got a revamped email template focused on #FundThePlan (although we always recommend personalising emails to your MP as much as possible!). If you’ve been thinking about writing to your MP, there’s no time like the present. A supportive local MP can make a real difference.
In case you’ve missed it, here’s our #FundThePlan collage video:
We’ll be doing what we can to make some noise, especially as we approach World ME Day next month. So watch this space for more and let’s keep up the fight.
We’ll see you next time.
Thank you for this update and your insights into the challenges ahead - as you say, without money it's difficult to believe this can achieve the required changes. Grateful for your highlighting of this.
I have zero confidence that the plan will be funded considering the austerity spending cuts of this government of red tories.
Today's guardian reports that the planned cuts to NHS England, DhSC, and all of the ICBs around the country could lead to upto 100,000 job cuts which will have a hugely disruptive impact on the delivery of health services. On top of this there is the 7 billion in cuts to disability benefits and billions more cuts to public spending due to be announced in June.
The ME community has to wake up to the realities of this government which has been criticised twice in the last year by the UN for it's violations of disabled people's human rights and failure to address poverty.
The ME community needs to join the fight back against this reactionary government and it's austerity plans.
Stop unrealistically raising people's hopes it is irresponsible. The adult thing to do is to be honest with people about this governments austerity agenda.