3-12-04
Barrett backs campaign for cancer patients
John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh
West, today backed a major campaign to help those suffering
financial
hardship as a result of having cancer.
More than 1 million people in theUKhave now had a cancer
diagnosis and a survey by Macmillan Cancer Relief has shown
that up to 75% of cancer patients suffer from financial
hardship. This
can come from the considerable costs of having cancer,
such as a loss of income, extra travel and parking costs
and prescription
charges.
The “Better Deal” campaign, launched by Macmillan
Cancer, aims to expose the problem of financial hardship
and put pressure on the Government to make it easier to access
key benefits, such as Disability Living Allowance and Income
Support. John Barrett is one of 36 MPs, who have
signed a House of Commons motion supporting the campaign
and calling
for Government action.
John Barrett said:
“One of the measures of a fair society is how that society
treats vulnerable people. It is simply unacceptable
that cancer patients, many of whom are at their lowest
ebb, face the additional problem of cancer creeping into
their
finances, leaving them in debt and in poverty.
“The fact is that there are some very simple steps the Government
could take to ensure cancer patients, who need and deserve
extra help, get it. For example, ensuring that every
cancer patient is offered specialist benefit advice at
diagnosis could help reduce the £126 million worth
of benefits that goes unclaimed by cancer patients every
year. Similarly,
the Department for Work & Pensions could do much more
to improve cancer patients’ access to DLA and Attendance
Allowance by waiving the 6 month qualifying period and
changing the definition of terminal illness from6to 12
months.
“Hopefully, this campaign by Macmillan Cancer, which so many
MPs are now supporting, will create a momentum for change.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
• Mr Barrett has backed Early Day Motion 99, which states:
That this House congratulates Macmillan Cancer Relief on the successful launch of its exciting new Better Deal campaign to get a better deal for people dealing with cancer, especially from the benefits system; notes that three quarters of people surveyed by Macmillan who have had a cancer diagnosis say they suffered financially as a result; further notes that, for some people affected by cancer, money worries are second only to pain as a cause of stress; welcomes Macmillan's resolve to champion these issues and campaign with people struggling to meet the unexpected extra costs resulting from the debilitating effects of treatment, including travel to hospital, hospital car parking and higher heating bills; supports Macmillan's call for the Government to ensure that every cancer patient is offered specialist benefits and advice at diagnosis and to change the law to improve cancer patients' access to disability living allowance (DLA) and attendance allowance (AA); and calls on the Government to stop cancer spreading to people's finances and to act urgently to ensure that the DLA and AA schemes are fast, fit for purpose and fair for people dealing with cancer.
• More information on the issue can be found at Macmillan Cancer
website
www.macmillan.org.uk/abetterdeal/aboutTheCampaign.htm