Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department is planning a review of benefits available to cancer patients to ensure that benefits are sufficient to meet any additional financial support required.

People with long-term health conditions can already claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP) to contribute towards the extra costs of their disability. PIP is non means tested and is payable regardless of the individuals employment status. There are also special fast track rules for people who are terminally ill (as defined).

We continuously look to identify further opportunities to improve the entire PIP claim and decision-making process.

People who are unable to work due to an illness or disability can claim Employment and Support Allowance. For cancer sufferers, a light touch evidence gathering process exists, to help determine eligibility. There is a presumption that claimants receiving or recovering from cancer treatment will be placed in the Support Group which could entitle them to up to £109.65 per week, subject to suitable evidence from a healthcare professional such as a GP or oncologist.

We have consulted on a range of proposals in the Green Paper, Improving Lives, and we are carefully considering how to take these forward in consultation with a range of stakeholders.

Trudi Hills, our Sector champion for banking, has been working with Macmillan to improve how the banking industry supports people when they receive a cancer diagnosis.