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Responding to the Audit Commission’s report that the winter fuel payment should be scrapped, Duleep Allirajah, Policy Manager at Macmillan Cancer Support said:
'Scrapping the winter fuel payment would be disastrous and a massive failing to those in fuel poverty, who so desperately need it. For many vulnerable people over 60, including cancer patients, it provides immediate and vital financial help and getting rid of it would leave them cold and out of pocket. 'Improved energy efficiency measures will help in the long-term, but will do nothing to help vulnerable cancer patients struggling with fuel bills right now.
'Scrapping the winter fuel payment would be disastrous and a massive failing to those in fuel poverty, who so desperately need it. For many vulnerable people over 60, including cancer patients, it provides immediate and vital financial help and getting rid of it would leave them cold and out of pocket.
'Improved energy efficiency measures will help in the long-term, but will do nothing to help vulnerable cancer patients struggling with fuel bills right now.
'With Government figures released today showing an increase in the number of households in fuel poverty, the UK faces an immediate crisis. And far from scrapping the winter fuel payment, we urge them to extend it to cancer patients under 60 who are in need.”
Find out more about our fuel poverty campaign| .
ENDS
For further information, please contact: Helen Sathyaseelan – Macmillan Cancer Support 0207 840 4689 (out of hours 07801 307068) HSathyaseelan@macmillan.org.uk|
Notes to Editors
1 The winter fuel payment should be extended to cancer patients aged under 60 (particularly those undergoing treatment in the past year, who are terminally ill, or in receipt of Council Tax Benefit or Housing Benefit)
About Macmillan Cancer Support Macmillan Cancer Support is a leading cancer charity supporting and improving the lives of people affected by cancer by providing practical, medical, emotional and financial support. For more information about Macmillan Cancer Support, call 0808 808 00 00 or visit www.macmillan.org.uk| .