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Responding to the Welfare Reform Bill moving into the House of Lords for its Second Reading today (Tuesday 13th September), Ciarán Devane, Chief Executive of Macmillan Cancer Support, says:
“While we understand the benefits system is in need of reform, certain changes in the Welfare Reform Bill could have catastrophic effect on many cancer patients and their families who are already struggling. “We already estimate that up to 7,000 cancer patients could lose up to £94 a week due to the changes to Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), yet despite this being debated in PMQs, the Government has still made no commitment to amending the clauses which will change key disability benefits. The proposed changes will unnecessarily push people into crisis – costing us all more. “As the Bill moves into the House of Lords we are confident the Lords will ensure that it does not penalise cancer patients who are too ill to work.”
“While we understand the benefits system is in need of reform, certain changes in the Welfare Reform Bill could have catastrophic effect on many cancer patients and their families who are already struggling.
“We already estimate that up to 7,000 cancer patients could lose up to £94 a week due to the changes to Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), yet despite this being debated in PMQs, the Government has still made no commitment to amending the clauses which will change key disability benefits. The proposed changes will unnecessarily push people into crisis – costing us all more.
“As the Bill moves into the House of Lords we are confident the Lords will ensure that it does not penalise cancer patients who are too ill to work.”
Sarah Ross, Senior Media & PR Officer, Macmillan Cancer Support 020 7840 4722 (out of hours 07801 307068) SRoss@macmillan.org.uk|
The Welfare Reform Bill Second Reading| is taking place in Parliament on Tuesday 13th September 2011.
After applying for ESA some people living with cancer will be placed in the ESA Work-Related Activity Group (WRAG). This means they are required to do work-related activities in order to receive their benefit. The Government is proposing that people who claim ESA based on their National Insurance contributions (contributions-based) and are placed in the WRAG should only be able to claim this benefit for 12 months before it is means-tested. After one year a claimant whose partner works more than just 24hours or earns only £149 per week would lose all of their ESA.
People living with cancer who are placed in the ESA Support Group don’t have to carry out work-related activities to get their benefit. People in the Support Group will not be affected by this change.
Macmillan’s healthcare professionals are clear that many people living with cancer will need longer than 12 months before they are ready to return to work. The Government’s own statistics show that 94% of people with cancer who are placed in the WRAG need ESA for longer than 12-months.
Macmillan believes that people with cancer who have worked and paid into the system before becoming ill should be supported, without risk of their ESA being cut after a year.
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.
In response to a recent parliamentary question the Government estimated that 94% of all contributory ESA claimants in the Work-Related Activity Group will require ESA for longer than one year.[1]
The Government is proposing that DLA should be replaced with a new benefit called Personal Independence Payment (PIP). As part of the new benefit the Government wants to double the period that someone is required to demonstrate need before they make a claim for benefit from 3 months to 6 months. However, cancer treatment results in a sudden onset of daily living and/or mobility needs. The need for help with daily living and getting around can start immediately and escalate rapidly. Making cancer patients wait for 6 months before they can even apply for vital support is simply unfair.
Macmillan believes that people who experience a sudden onset of debilitation which is likely to be long-term should be entitled to apply for PIP as soon as their support needs arise.
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.
Every day more people face the toughest fight of their lives. For cancer support every step of the way, or to find out how you can support their work, call Macmillan Cancer Support free on 0808 808 00 00 or visit macmillan.org.uk|.