Marie Curie responds to benefits Green Paper

Sam Royston, Executive Director of Policy and Research at Marie Curie, said:

"Upon review of the government's green paper on benefits, we're concerned that the proposals barely mention the urgent and unique needs of people with terminal illness, many of whom rely on the social security system to support them in their final months, weeks, and days.

"A terminal illness often means significant financial strain: with loss of income and rising costs creating instability when security is much needed. In fact, Marie Curie research shows that under the current benefits system, 111,000 people are dying in poverty each year in the UK, with working-age people at significantly higher risk.

"Yet the proposed changes to Universal Credit could mean terminally ill people making a claim for benefit after April 2026 get £2,000 a year less. We urgently need clarity on how terminally ill people will be protected -- including those who either could not or did not make a claim through the Special Rules for Terminal Illness.*

"Dying people should be able to focus on what really matters at the end of life – not worry about their finances. We urge government to set out plans to provide comprehensive protections for all terminally ill people at the earliest opportunity."

ENDS

Support available from Marie Curie
Marie Curie can provide expert, practical information and emotional support about living with a terminal illness. The charity has a free online benefits calculator and dedicated Energy Support Officers who can talk through benefits and the support available. For more information visit mariecurie.org.uk/support or call the Marie Curie Support Line on 0800 090 2309.

Dying in Poverty Report
Last year, Marie Curie published a report based on research by Loughborough University, revealing that more than 300 people are dying in poverty every single day in the UK. Read the full Dying in Poverty 2024 report here: mariecurie.org.uk/policy/poverty

Cost of Dying Campaign
Marie Curie has an ongoing campaign to ensure that all people living with a terminal illness have enough income to live their life comfortably until the very end. To find out more about the petition, calling on the UK Government to fix the cost of dying crisis, visit: mariecurie.org.uk/get-involved/campaigns/poverty