Ministers are to reply to a campaign pushing for all people who suffer from coeliac disease to get vouchers towards buying expensive gluten-free food. A new petition on the Parliament website has smashed through 10,000 signups, meaning the government will be forced to get an official response.

If the support continues to grow and soars past 100,000 signups then MPs will debate the issue, with officials giving the government’s plans in this area, and putting pressure on ministers for change. The petition, which can be seen here, and created by Luan Ryley said: “Fund vouchers for people with coeliac disease. We urge the government to fund vouchers for those who are medically diagnosed with coeliac disease.

“People with coeliac disease mustfollow a strict gluten-free diet for life to avoid serious health risks. Gluten-free foods cost 183% more on average against their gluten containing alternative, placing a burden on those with limited income. We believe that vouchers would promote health equity, ensuring access to necessary food and preventing health risk.”

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A recent report from charity Coeliac UK found sufferers had beenpaying about 35% more for their weekly shop during the cost of living crisis. Coeliac disease causes symptoms including vomiting and diarrhoea and is caused by an abnormal immune system reaction to the protein gluten which is found in foods such as bread, pasta, cereals and biscuits.

The Coeliac UK report said sevenin 10 people found shopping for gluten-free food “adversely affects their quality of life” due to cost and availability of products.

It said the average cost of gluten-free food compared to food with gluten gram-for-gram between March 2022 to March 2024 showed loaves of bread were 4.5 times more expensive, bread rolls 3.1 times more costly, and plain flour, pasta and cereals were twice as expensive.

Last year BBC Sports presenter and two-time Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington, 36, revealed on social media that she had been diagnosed with coeliac disease. The mum-of-two and former Team GB swimmer talked about her diagnosis in a post on Coeliac UK’s Instagram page on Wednesday, and encouraged people to sign the charity’s latest petition.

In the short clip, Adlington said: “As someone newly diagnosed with coeliac disease, I have definitely quickly learnt how vital gluten-free prescriptions are for managing this condition – but in some areas these prescriptions are totally being cut.

“Coeliac UK is handing in a petition to Number 10 to make sure we are heard so please sign and share the petition today.”

Coeliac UK, described it is an autoimmune condition, which is driven by eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. The charity’s website states that for people with coeliac disease, the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues when gluten is eaten, which prevents normal digestion and absorption of food, with the risk of developing serious health complications.

Dr Angad Dhillon, a Doctify-rated consultant gastroenterologist has said: "Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition, not an allergy. Unlike allergies, which cause an immediate immune response, coeliac disease leads to chronic inflammation and long-term damage to the gut.”

“While it is often diagnosed in childhood, many cases are only identified in adulthood, sometimes after years of unexplained symptoms,” says Dr Dhillon. “In adults, the disease can be triggered by factors such as stress, infections, or hormonal changes, and it may go undiagnosed for a long time, especially in people who experience mild or atypical symptoms.”

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of coeliac disease range from mild to severe and can vary between individuals. “Digestive symptoms include diarrhoea, bloating, constipation, abdominal pain, and nausea,” says Dhillon. “Systemic effects include fatigue, unexplained weight loss, anaemia (due to deficiencies in iron, B12, or folate), joint pain, and neurological symptoms like tingling or numbness.

“It can also cause skin rashes like dermatitis herpetiformis.” However, some people with the condition experience no obvious symptoms.

“Silent coeliac disease is when some people experience no symptoms, but still suffer from damage to the intestine,” explains Dr Dhillon. What long-term complications can arise from undiagnosed or untreated coeliac disease?

According to Coeliac UK, undiagnosed or untreated coeliac disease can result in complications such as osteoporosis, unexplained infertility, neurological dysfunction and, in rare instances, small bowel cancer.

How is it diagnosed?

Coeliac UK recommends that individuals with symptoms visit their GP for a blood test to check for antibodies which can indicate coeliac disease. If the test is positive or if there is a clinical suspicion of the condition, patients are referred to a gut specialist. In adults, a gut biopsy is typically performed to confirm the diagnosis.

“Endoscopy and biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosis,” says Dhillon. “An endoscopy allows doctors to examine the small intestine and take a biopsy to check for villous atrophy, which is a hallmark of coeliac disease.”

Can it be treated?

There is no cure for coeliac disease, but it can be effectively managed through diet.

“Strict life-long adherence to a gluten-free diet is the only way to manage coeliac disease,” says Dr Sammie Gill, registered gastroenterologist dietitian at gut probiotic supplement maker Symprove. “Most people will notice an improvement in symptoms on a gluten-free diet.”

However, some people might still experience persistent gut-related symptoms, despite adhering to a strict gluten-free diet.

“In this scenario, they might benefit from IBS management approaches such as the low-FODMAP diet,” says Gill.

To view and sign up to the petition, click here.