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Mike Hobday, Director of Policy and Research at Macmillan Cancer Support, says:
“Macmillan Cancer Support has calculated that 7,000 cancer patients could lose up to £94 a week depending on their circumstances. These figures have been rigorously and independently fact-checked [1]. “Those affected will lose their Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) after 12 months simply because they have not recovered quickly enough. The majority want to return to work as it is a milestone in their recovery and a return to normality, in addition to the obvious financial benefits. “The Lords have made it clear that cancer patients should not be penalised and the current welfare reform proposals are unfair. We hope that the Coalition Government listens to these concerns, which are those of the whole cancer community, not just Macmillan [2]. We want to work closely with them to ensure cancer patients get a fair outcome.”
“Macmillan Cancer Support has calculated that 7,000 cancer patients could lose up to £94 a week depending on their circumstances. These figures have been rigorously and independently fact-checked [1].
“Those affected will lose their Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) after 12 months simply because they have not recovered quickly enough. The majority want to return to work as it is a milestone in their recovery and a return to normality, in addition to the obvious financial benefits.
“The Lords have made it clear that cancer patients should not be penalised and the current welfare reform proposals are unfair. We hope that the Coalition Government listens to these concerns, which are those of the whole cancer community, not just Macmillan [2]. We want to work closely with them to ensure cancer patients get a fair outcome.”
Sarah Ross, Senior Media & PR Officer 020 7840 4722 (out of hours 07801 307068) SRoss@macmillan.org.uk|
[1] http://fullfact.org/factchecks/ed_miliband_7000_cancer_patient_benefit_cut_macmillan-2773|
Macmillan estimates that 7,000 cancer patients will be affected by this change. This figure is based on estimates of the number of cancer patients on contributory benefits who are in the Work-Related Activity Group of ESA or currently claiming Incapacity Benefit but will be placed in the Work-Related Activity Group following the reassessment of all Incapacity Benefit claimants.
[2] Cancer community open letter to Iain Duncan Smith http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Documents/GetInvolved/Campaigns/Campaigns/WelfareReform/OpenlettertoSecretaryofState-13thDecember2011.pdf|
Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people affected by cancer, providing practical, medical, emotional and financial support. Working alongside people affected by cancer, Macmillan works to improve cancer care. More than one in three of us get cancer. Two million of us are living with it. If you are affected by cancer Macmillan can help.