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Employment and Support Allowance: Parkinson's Disease

Asked by Graeme DownieLabourDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled Answered 15 December 2025UIN 96427

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people with Parkinson's get contribution based Employment Support Allowance and are allocated to the Support Group.

Answered by Sir Stephen Timms

As of May 2025, there were 1,800 claimants in receipt of contributory Employment and Support Allowance in the Support Group with the main disabling conditionParkinson’s disease or syndrome’. In the same month, there were 300 claimants in receipt of contributory Employment and Support Allowance in the Support Group with the main disabling conditionParkinsonism’.

Data is based on primary medical condition as recorded on the ESA computer systems. Claimants may have multiple disabling conditions on which their entitlement is based but only the primary condition is available for statistical purposes and shown in these statistics.

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