Swindon MPs Justin Tomlinson & Robert Buckland helped to raise awareness of the financial impact of cancer at a Parliamentary event on Tuesday 4 July.
At the event, both MPs heard about how the financial impact of cancer affects 4 out of 5 cancer patients, leaving them on average £570 a month worse off. This is a result of lost income - if people are too ill to work - and increased expenses. This is leaving people struggling to pay their bills, and worrying about money.
Now, the charity Macmillan Cancer Support is calling for the banking sector to do more to help this issue– supported by both Justin & Robert. Macmillan's research reveals that while there are pockets of good practice by the banking sector, a quarter of people who told their bank about their cancer were dissatisfied with the help they received.
Robert attended the Parliamentary event and said,
“It’s shocking to hear that people with cancer are having to worry about money when they should be focusing on their health. Banks and building societies, as providers of people’s main financial products – such as mortgages, or credit cards – have an unrivalled ability to help people with the financial impact of cancer.”
Justin who also attended said,
“When I was Minister for Disabled People this is an issue that I had many meetings on, including here in Swindon on a visit to Nationwide who are already working with Macmillan to help support people with cancer. So whilst there has been some progress, it’s clear there is more still to be done. As well as banks taking steps themselves, the Financial Conduct Authority – who regulate banks, and the Government have an important role to play in ensuring banks know that supporting people with cancer must be a priority.”
Macmillan is calling for banks to offer support and ensure staff are trained to identify and help customers with cancer. It’s also calling on industry representatives to do more to set out what banks are expected to do. Finally, they are urging the Government to change the law to make it a legal duty for banks to support vulnerable customers, such as those with cancer.
For more information, please visit www.macmillan.org.uk/inthebalance
Your Comments
Its shameful then isn't it that both of these MPs voted to remove ?30 pound a week from the sick and disabled
Posted: 8 July 2017, 8.10PM by: Robin Sayer
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