Published date: 01 Feb 2012 at 5:25PM
MPs have voted against the Lords' amendment to extend the time limit on Employment & Support Allowance ( ESA ) to two years.
332 MPs voted (against 266) in favour of keeping the time limit to just one year.
The Government has proposed all but the most seriously ill people claiming ESA could only do so for a year - after which those who do not pass a means-test will risk losing their benefit.
The time-limit is likely to affect at least 8000 people living with MS.
Nick Rijke, Director of Policy & Research at the MS Society, said: "We are deeply disappointed that MPs have voted to impose an arbitrary and unjustified one year time limit on support for people with genuine illnesses and disabilities, who have been unable to find work through no fault of their own.
"It is completely unacceptable that people with long-term conditions like MS should be penalized for having worked and saved, or for having a partner who continues to work."
Around 2,500 people wrote to their MP on this issue using our e-action. We'll continue to challenge the Government on this issue, as part of our long running campaign, so keep an eye on our campaigns pages for how you can get involved .
It is completely unacceptable that people with long-term conditions like MS should be penalized for having worked and saved, or for having a partner who continues to work. Nick Rijke, Director of Policy & Research at the MS Society
Multiple Sclerosis Society. Registered charity nos 1139257 / SC041990. Registered as a limited company in England and Wales 07451571
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