EFFECT OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS ON WORKING LIFE YEARS

That this House welcomes the report Ready to Work: Meeting the employment and career aspirations of people with multiple sclerosis published on 20 June 2011 by The Work Foundation with the support of the MS Society, MS Trust, MSRC and Shift MS on the impact of multiple sclerosis on working life years; notes that 80 per cent. of people with multiple sclerosis retire within 15 years of diagnosis and that the condition costs the UK economy up to 2.8 billion per year; and calls on the Government to ensure that the needs of individuals with multiple sclerosis are better understood as part of its Work Programme, that the Access to Work scheme is continued and expanded to provide support for those with fluctuating conditions such as multiple sclerosis, that the crucial role of multiple sclerosis specialist nurses is safeguarded and that employers are encouraged to utilise occupational health professionals to improve the workplace for those with the condition.