Cancer charities have today (Tuesday 10th June) written to Liz Kendall MP, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (above), urging a U-turn on proposed changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) that they say may disproportionately affect cancer patients.
The UK Government’s Green Paper ‘Pathways to Work’ outlines new restrictions that would alter the scoring system for the Daily Living component of PIP – potentially disqualifying many people with cancer from receiving this essential support. PIP currently provides up to £187.45 per week for people aged 16 and over living with a serious illness or disability.
Leading cancer charities, including Brain Tumour Research, Young Lives vs Cancer, Anthony Nolan, and Blood Cancer UK, warn that the proposed changes will worsen financial hardship already widely reported among cancer patients and their families. Research from Young Lives vs Cancer shows that three in five young people with cancer are forced to use their savings to cover essential costs during treatment, with costs rising 15% since 2017.
Under the new proposals, many young people will be excluded from financial support entirely, with planned restrictions to Universal Credit’s Health Element and a move to raise PIP’s minimum age from 16 to 18.
Thomas Brayford, our Policy and Public Affairs Manager, said: "These changes risk stripping away vital financial support from cancer patients. For brain tumour patients, in particular, the physical and cognitive impacts of the disease already create immense challenges. Denying them access to PIP will only deepen the hardship and uncertainty they face.”
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