Concerns for terminally ill amid cold weather warning

Mark Jackson, Policy Manager for end of life charity Marie Curie, said: "The average energy bill of a terminally ill person doubles after their diagnosis, due to spending more time at home and needing to have the heating on higher and for longer, making terminally ill people particularly vulnerable to fuel poverty – something we know many will be worrying about as the cold weather continues.

"Nearly two-thirds of families affected by terminal illness rely on benefits as their main source of income, and many of those will already have lost £20 every week in October after the government's Universal Credit cut.

"We are particularly concerned right now about the rising cost of energy alongside the cost of living rising at its fastest pace in 30 years. Our research shows that cold homes can hasten the death of people with terminal illness – making this a matter of life or death.

"However we know that far too many people of working age who are living with terminal illness aren't able to get critical support to help with energy bills through the Warm Home Discount, because unlike those over pension age they do not receive support automatically.

"We urge the government to ensure the Warm Home Discount is paid automatically to anyone with a terminal illness who is living on a low income and support them to be as comfortable as possible through the final phase of their life."