In early July 2021, after much campaigning by the  MND and Marie Curie, the Government agreed that it would scrap the six-month rule for access to benefits under the Special Rules for Terminal Illness.

Having worked with the charities to get this through Parliament, I have kept an eye on progress. So this week, I wrote to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to ask if the Government will bring forward legislative proposals to implement this change for the PIP and the Attendance Allowance in the next Queen’s Speech.

Here’s the reply I received:

The Department is committed to supporting people nearing the end of their lives. We plan to amend legislation to implement changes to the Special Rules for Terminal Illness across five DWP benefits, beginning with Universal Credit alongside Employment and Support Allowance this year. This will be followed by Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payment when Parliamentary time allows.