4 November 2008
Cancer patients should be given a winter fuel allowance similar to that offered to the over-60s, a leading charity has claimed. According to Macmillan Cancer Support, people living with cancer are particularly affected by rising gas and electricity bills. Because their treatment weakens their immune system, they feel the cold more and therefore spend more on heating. In addition, many sufferers are unable to work and therefore have little or no income to meet their energy costs. "It's a vicious circle and that's why it's so important to freeze out fuel poverty for cancer patients," said Ciaran Devane, chief executive of Macmillan. The charity is lobbying the government to extend its winter fuel payment scheme to cancer patients and insists it will continue to campaign until financial help is offered. This year, the winter fuel allowance given to elderly households has been increased to reflect recent rises in the cost of gas and electricity.