Our response to the Warm Homes Plan

Thomas Mulvey, Senior Public Affairs Manager at Marie Curie, said:

"Marie Curie welcomes many elements of the Warm Homes Plan, as better insulated homes will lower costs for people living with terminal illnesses in the future. However, dying people need help with soaring energy costs now. While extending the Warm Homes Discount is a positive step, it still leaves many terminally ill people without support.

"People at the end of life often face higher energy use than the general population. They may spend more time at home, need to keep warm because of their condition, often do more washing, and may rely on medical equipment that must be powered around the clock. It is therefore no surprise that 120,000 people die in fuel poverty each year.

"We are calling for targeted support with energy bills for dying people - specifically, a substantial social tariff that recognises the additional energy needs of those with terminal illnesses. We look forward to working with the UK Government to ensure that no one spends their final days in a cold home or in fuel poverty."