MP presses minister on energy bill support for Cumbrian hospices

On the floor of the House of Commons this morning, Cumbrian MP Tim Farron challenged the Energy Minister to bring forward a support package for local hospices that are struggling with soaring gas and electricity prices.

It comes as Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw Cumbria's Children's Hospice said they are facing energy bills that have tripled compared to last year.

Meanwhile last month, St Mary's Hospice in Ulverston declared that it had run out of government funding and had been put in a "perilous position."

Speaking during Energy Questions in the House of Commons, Tim said: "Our hospices provide tender, professional, essential care for people nearing the end of their lives, yet they are considered, when it comes to energy bill relief, as businesses.

"As a consequence, despite the fact that they have had a 350% increase in their energy costs, there is not a special programme or specialist scheme to assist them. I have raised this with the Minister before.

"What progress has she made in looking at a package to help to support our hospices and others who care for those in desperate need in our communities?"

Responding, the Energy Minister Amanda Solloway said: "I thank the honourable Member for bringing up such an important subject.

"He will be pleased to know that this week I met Hospice UK to discuss that very subject and, indeed, I am working to see how we can be the most supportive."