Banbury MP Sean Woodcock was elected chair of Parliament's cross-party group on multiple sclerosis on 10 November. The cost of living with MS is a main focus.

Banbury’s MP Sean Woodcock has been elected chair of Parliament’s cross-party group on multiple sclerosis. He took the role at a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for MS on Tuesday 10 November, his office said.

The group brings together MPs and peers from different parties. It aims to advocate on behalf of, and alongside, people affected by MS, and to promote the interests of the MS community.

What the job involves

As chair, Mr Woodcock will attend regular meetings with MPs and peers. He will also meet the MS Society, the charity for people with the condition, to press their case in Westminster.

The cost of living with MS

One issue the group will focus on is the extra cost of having the condition. His office listed mobility aids, extra treatments the NHS does not cover and specialist physiotherapy as costs that add to the burden.

It said people with MS can also face higher costs to travel to work and get to appointments. Some have to pay carers to help with everyday tasks.

What Sean Woodcock said

Mr Woodcock said the cause was “deeply personal” to him. Speaking after the meeting, he said:

“I am delighted to have been elected Chair of the APPG for Multiple Sclerosis.

“This is a cause that is deeply personal to me, and I have seen first-hand the impact that MS can have. The challenges it brings, the uncertainty it creates, and the strength and resilience needed to live with it every day.

“But I have also seen real reasons for hope. New treatments and advances in care are transforming lives and helping people with MS to live more independently and with greater confidence for the future.

“As Chair, I will be a champion for everyone affected by MS, ensuring their voices are heard loud and clear in Parliament and Government. It is a privilege to take on this role, and I am determined to help drive the progress that people living with MS deserve.”

His statement did not say how he has seen the condition first-hand.

If you live with MS in North Oxfordshire

If you have MS, or care for someone who does, and live in the Banbury constituency, Mr Woodcock is the MP to contact about the costs the group plans to take up.

Sources

  • Statement from the office of Sean Woodcock MP, 10 November 2026