New research: One in six people in Wales dying in poverty
According to Marie Curie Cymru’s new Dying in Poverty in Wales report, last year 17 per cent of people who died in Wales were living in poverty at the time
One in six people in Wales are still dying in poverty, according to leading end of life charity Marie Curie which is calling for better support for people in their last 12 months of life.
According to Marie Curie Cymru’s new Dying in Poverty in Wales report, last year 17 per cent of people who died in Wales were living in poverty at the time. This equated to 6,100 people.
People of working age were more likely to die in poverty than those of pension age:
The figures show the proportion of working age people in poverty in Wales in their last year of life has increased since 2023 - from 30 per cent to 32 per cent - the highest of any nation of the UK.
People in Blaenau Gwent, Cardiff and Newport were at the highest risk of dying in poverty:
Almost one in four (23 per cent) – died in fuel poverty, a number that remained unchanged from 2023, with those living in Blaenau Gwent, Merthyr Tydfil and Neath Port Talbot at the highest risk of fuel poverty in their last 12 months of life.
Marie Curie Cymru is calling on the Welsh Government to 'act now' to tackle poverty at the end of life.
The charity has recommended that the Welsh Government include people living with a terminal illness in the council tax reduction scheme and introduce additional financial support for people living with a terminal illness to help with energy costs.
Natasha Davies, Senior Policy Manager at Marie Curie Cymru, said: “It’s simply unacceptable that so many people are still dying in poverty in Wales. This is not inevitable.
“Thousands of people can’t make the most of the time they have left because of spiralling bills and constant worries about how to make ends meet. "
“Policymakers, service providers and healthcare services must focus their attention on the financial hardship facing people with a terminal illness and those close to them, including family and carers.
“This must include action to ensure people access the support they are already entitled to. But must also address the insufficiency of current support, by expanding entitlement to a council tax reduction and offering additional support with energy costs.
The Welsh Government says: “Maximising incomes, building financial resilience, and putting money back into people pockets are top priorities for us.
"Free expert energy advice is available to all householders in Wales via the Nest helpline.
“We encourage people to contact the Advicelink Cymru ‘Claim What’s Yours’ helpline to find out about the financial support they may be entitled to, including help with council tax bills. People on low incomes should check their eligibility for council tax reductions, and the Advicelink service can help people do that.”