Devon campaigners ask Government for financial support for terminally ill
Campaigners gathered in Crediton yesterday with one simple message, “nobody should die in poverty”.
The group were collecting signatures for a petition from the UK’s leading end of life charity, Marie Curie.
It calls on the UK Government to give people with a terminal illness their State Pension, no matter their age.
Marie Curie says that a 90,000 people die in poverty every year. Most at risk are people of working age, who are almost twice as likely to fall into poverty at the end of their lives than those of pension age.
In Devon, over 3,000 people have now signed the petition, which has been signed by over 164,000 nationally.
One Devon resident, who signed the petition, said: “My partner died of cancer this year aged 58. He was unable to work for the last year of his life and had only ESA [Employment and Support Allowance] benefit to live off. We knew his condition was extremely life limiting and he wouldn't reach pension age. Being able to also draw on his State Pension would have helped with the extra costs of his illness.”
Amanda Towse, 55, from Tiverton, Devon was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2020. Increased living costs alongside a reduction in income have left her and husband Leon worried about their finances.
She said: “I medically retired from my role in the NHS in 2021. Emotionally, I wasn't in a good place and my treatment was horrendous, I was really poorly.
“It was a shock when my partner Leon was then diagnosed with prostate cancer. Leon is back at work but we have to watch our money with the increase in the cost of living, its a worry.
“We don't do anything. We don't go on holiday, we rarely go out, because we haven't really got the money for that. Leon worried about the price of petrol when it kept going up and up.
“We're always waiting for the next bill, to see how much prices have increased especially the council tax, gas and electric. We've had to make adjustments to the house, too. I was struggling getting in and out of the bath so we’ve got a walk-in shower cubicle now and an oven that’s a bit higher, so I can still cook I haven't got to bend down and lift things up.”
Last week, Marie Curie handed in an open letter signed by over21,000 people to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mel Stride, highlighting that terminally ill people are experiencing financial hardship due to their terminal diagnosis.
In addition, researchers from the University of Loughborough found that the Department for Work and Pensions could deliver this change by increasing its pension budget by 0.1%. The charity and its campaigners want the Government to account for this in its Spring Budget this year.
Jenny Evans is manager of the Marie Curie Nursing Service in Devon, she said: “No one should die in poverty. But our researchers found that 90,000 a year do. And for many people of working age, they are plunged into poverty simply because they have been given the devastating news that they have a terminal illness.
“My nursing colleagues are seeing more and more people going through this with the cost-of-living crisis. It breaks your heart when you see a family trying to come to terms with the death of a loved ones and simultaneously not being able to heat their home and make the person who is dying comfortable.
“We’re so grateful for the people who have signed our petition today. We hope the UK Government listens to the researchers and makes the compassionate decision to give people of working age with a terminal illness their State Pension. It is the fair and right thing to do.”
To sign the petition and pledge your support for people with a terminal illness across the UK please visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/poverty
