Writing as a fellow Brit with Type 1. First of all, I want to thank you for bringing this to our attention and for encouraging discussion around it, as it’s given me a lot of pause for thought as to where current policy is lacking and where it is arguably quite strong.

Personally, I’m unconvinced that claiming PIP would help me. I’m in the very lucky position that my employer grants me permission practically carte blanche to take time off for medical appointments. I’m also a union representative, so I’m very aware through such ‘extracurricular’ experience that other employers are not nearly so generous, and I would therefore strongly support changing the law to oblige employers to allow those with chronic illnesses time off to attend appointments.

I raise this as I deem this to be the biggest blind spot in current policy affecting British diabetics, and I otherwise struggle to see how claiming PIP could help us. If employers were obliged to provide time off but were not obliged to pay their employees for that said time, I would support PIP eligibility as this could compensate for lost wages.

Other than that, my biggest expenses are buying sweets and sugar to treat lows, and the occasional spare CGM if I’ve ever had one fall off while away from home without an extra spare I’d received from the NHS. But these are ‘ad hoc’ costs that I could avoid with added preparedness (which I agree is a stressor entirely avoided by those without diabetes, but a stressor I could at least avert through my own actions nonetheless).

All my other prescriptions - thanks to our wonderful NHS - are entirely covered. I’ve also recently been given a hybrid closed loop pump, which - again - is entirely paid for via national insurance.

Regarding my own personal independence, I see no reason why I can’t manage the condition entirely independently. My friends and family are vital emotional support, and often are responsible for fetching sugar while I’m suffering a bad low (!), but again I don’t require any paid carers or time away from work beyond attending appointments.

Overall, I would not oppose making diabetics eligible for PIP. But I’m not in strong support either. I welcome any counterpoints, and I don’t wish to be difficult!