FAST-TRACKING BENEFITS FOR THE TERMINALLY ILL

Yesterday, on World Cancer Day, I highlighted the difficulties many terminally ill people experience when trying to access benefits to support themselves at the end of their lives. Currently, terminally ill people can only access fast track benefits if they can prove they have six months or less to live. Otherwise they face red tape, lengthy delays and face to face assessments – even after they’ve been told they are dying. In Scotland, a change in the law for benefits for terminally ill people is due to take place later this year and in early 2022 which will provide fast track access to disability benefits.

I asked the Leader of the House of Commons, Jacob Rees-Mogg, if he believed this change should also be applied to Universal Credit, powers over which are reserved to the UK Government, to prevent a two-tier system. Those who have been told the harrowing news that they are terminally ill deserve our compassion at the end of their lives and should be able to access the support they need as quickly as possible.

You can watch the exchange below.