MP challenges Energy Secretary over support for hospices

On the floor of the House of Commons this afternoon, Cumbrian MP Tim Farron asked the Secretary of State for Energy, Security and Net Zero, Grant Shapps, to introduce specific funding support for hospices that are struggling with their energy bills.

Earlier this month, Tim wrote to the Minister for Care to spell out the significant problems facing hospices, who are only receiving the same financial support with their energy costs that businesses such as pubs and cafes are, despite providing vital end of life care.

Speaking during Oral Questions in Parliament this afternoon, Tim said: "For the purposes of energy bill support, hospices are treated as businesses. They have seen a rise in their energy costs of 350%.

"They support some of the most vulnerable and needy people in our society, and the majority of their funding comes from private and charitable donations.

"Will the Secretary of State consider a special support fund for our hospices, so that they can keep caring for those who need it the most?"

Responding, the Energy Secretary, Grant Shapps said: "The honourable Gentleman is absolutely right to highlight the case of hospices.

In my constituency, there is the Isabel Hospice, of which I am a regular patron, so I hear its concerns about issues such as energy prices.

"We have had a generous scheme in place and we have a further scheme that will continue to run. I will look at his specific concerns."