3:06pm Thursday 13th November 2008
Cancer patients in London who are struggling financially should be helped out of the fuel poverty trap by the Government giving them a winter fuel payment.
So far this year, almost a quarter (24.6 per cent) of the people in London who received financial help from Macmillan Cancer Support have asked for help with their energy bills. The charity has given £75,732 in financial grants to assist with the cost of fuel to people living in the capital since last November.
Macmillan has also found that paying higher fuel bills is the biggest money worry for two-thirds (67 per cent) of cancer patients in London, the south-east and Anglia who are struggling financially.
At a time when millions in the UK are facing difficulties with household bills, for people living with cancer the risk of falling into fuel poverty is even greater. Almost three-quarters of cancer patients that are using more fuel blame the increase on feeling colder since diagnosis.
To help freeze out fuel poverty, Macmillan has produced a fuel cost fact sheet to help cancer patients save money on their energy bills. It contains information and tips as well as questions they can ask their energy supplier, to make sure they’re getting the best deal for them.
For financial information and to get hold of Macmillan’s fuel costs fact sheet, visit macmillan.org.uk or call 0800 500 800.
MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT
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