The Government makes it “difficult” for the long-term sick to access financial support when they are unable to work, a Conservative MP told the Commons.

Duncan Baker (North Norfolk) said a constituent of his who is being treated for cancer had difficulty accessing universal credit and Personal Independence Payments (PIP). He added: “Why should she have to come to my office, an MP’s office to get help, when someone is seriously ill? Why do we make it so arduous and difficult to give people that need treatment help?”

Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said: “My department does a great deal to support the long-term sick and disabled, including through the universal credit and health element and also through PIP.”

He added that he would meet with Mr Baker to look at his constituent’s circumstances in more detail.

Labour MP Marsha De Cordova (Battersea) called for the “flawed and outdated” PIP system to be replaced with a “framework that is fit for purpose”.

Mr Stride replied: “We always keep all benefits under review at the department, including PIP and the assessment processes. There is quite rightly as (Marsha De Cordova) points out, an appeals process for those who are not happy with the conclusions of those assessments, we keep those under review.”