A petition with 15,400 signatures calling for ‘good quality research into the root cause of the illness’  closed on 14 July 2016 and received the response that:

‘The Government supports research into CFS/ME through the MRC and the NIHR. High quality research applications are welcomed at any time…

Research into CFS/ME is a current priority area for the MRC. It received very few high-quality proposals in the area and it has implemented a number of initiatives to stimulate more research in this important area and to increase research capacity by bringing new researchers into the field and supporting multidisciplinary teams to tackle research challenges and build partnerships.

A highlight notice which outlines research priorities identified by the research community, and where applications are encouraged, is currently in place and can be found on its website.’

The petition also called for ‘the formation of a work group focussing on the issues surrounding this disease.’ Petitions which reach 100,000 signatures are considered for debate in parliament.