East Anglian MP presses Government to reform benefits system for terminally ill
It's after we told you the number of terminally ill patients in East Anglia applying for support payments has fallen.
Peter Aldous challenged the Government on Monday afternoon to reform the benefits system for terminally ill patients, this month.
The MP for Waveney urged the Government to reform the 'six month rule', which currently means patients must have six months or less to live for their claims to certain benefits to be fast tracked.
The Department for Work and Pensions announced on the 8th July 2021 that the rule would be extended from six to 12 months, in line with the NHS' definition of 'end of life', but this hasn't yet been introduced.
Mr Aldous told them: "Motor Neuron Disease is a cruel and relentless condition and too many people with MND and other terminal illnesses, are currently struggling to access the benefits that they need.
"Therefore, will the Government follow the lead of the Northern Ireland Executive, which is committed to introducing legislation this month to reform the unfair six month rule?"
Chloe Smith MP for Norwich North and Minister for Disabled People agreed that change was desperately needed, but admitted that it would take time: "I share my honourable friends desire to see these changes made as quickly as possible. Which is why we are taking a two stage approach, this will allow us to introduce changes to Universal Credit and employment and support allowance, via secondary legislation in April next year.
"Parliament will need to pass primary legislation to amend the special rules in other benefits and we will introduce this, as soon as the Parliamentary timetable allows."
It comes after we told you yesterday that the number of people applying for terminal illness benefits has fallen across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex, with many using the system describing it has overly complex and stressful.