MP backs cancer charities campaign to improve benefits system for patients

Meon Valley MP George Hollingbery has supported cancer charities in their attempts to help patients undergoing oral chemotherapy obtain better treatment by the Government.

George was approached by Macmillan - representing some 30 charities- to change the way people receiving oral chemotherapy or radiotherapy are dealt with by the benefits system.

These patients receive slightly less money than those receiving chemotherapy intravenously but, crucially, are classified as being in the Work Related Activity Group and capable of work. This requires them to attend all sorts of job related activities unlike those receiving treatment intravenously who are put in the Support Group.

George, who sits on the welfare reform bill committee, tabled an amendment asking the Government to look into the discrepancy because many who take chemotherapy orally can be as debilitated as those taking non-oral chemotherapy.

"The charities believe oral chemotherapy and radiotherapy patients should be put in the Support Group automatically without being forced to undertake a medical assessment to determine their eligibility for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)," explained George.

"I looked into the issue along with several of my colleagues and it seemed to us it was wrong to make the assumption that oral chemotherapy was always less debilitating than non-oral, so I lodged the amendment at the committee.

"The amount of extra money available to someone if they are put in the support group is only £5.45 per week but it does also mean less assessment - something that is very important when fighting this disease.

"The charities estimate that around 2,500 people will end up in a support group who might otherwise have ended up in the work-related activity group. At £5.45 a week, that is about £640,000 a year, which is not an enormous amount of money for any Government.

"The minister will now look at the issue and when the regulations are finally published, I hope there will be a change of emphasis for those cancer patients affected."

The Clauses that George spokes about in the Committee are 19 and 56 of the Welfare Reform Bill.

To read what George said about the issue please go to this link: | Hansard