Paula Barker

Paula Barker

Labour — Liverpool Wavertree

Speaking in the House of Commons on 24 June 2026

Debate

Engagements

Contribution

Q7. My constituent Jake McGregor-How, a 16-year-old with everything to live for, has been diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia—a rare neurodegenerative condition that is cruel and swift-acting. The average life expectancy of people diagnosed with it is just 37. Despite the NHS’s founding principle that care should be based on clinical need, not ability to pay, Jake’s father is crowdfunding to pay for treatment in Germany with a new drug, omaveloxolone, which has received clinical approval here but is not available through the NHS. Assessment by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has stalled. The condition is not classed as an ultra-rare disease, yet it is rare enough that any drug to treat it will struggle to meet NICE’s cost-effectiveness criteria.The family constantly have to raise enough money to pay for each round of treatment. Shockingly, Jake has recently undertaken a personal independence payment assessment and been turned down for much-needed support. Families should never have to crowdfund for treatment abroad for a life-threatening disease. Will the Prime Minister arrange for me and other colleagues who have constituents with this cruel condition to meet the Health Secretary to discuss a way forward?

More from Paula Barker

Other recent Hansard contributions by the same speaker.

About Hansard

Hansard is the official verbatim record of proceedings in the UK Parliament. Every word spoken in the Commons and Lords is recorded and published — this page is a single contribution from that record.

For Paula Barker's full parliamentary record including voting history, expenses and all other contributions, see the Paula Barker report card.

Partner sites