MP urges Minister to keep promise to support hospices with energy bills

In Parliament this afternoon, Cumbrian MP Tim Farron challenged Government ministers over the funding crisis facing hospices in the county, that are struggling with their energy bills.

Earlier this month, Tim met with the Minister for Energy Consumers and Affordability, Amanda Solloway MP to discuss this issue.

The minister told Tim that the NHS were providing extra financial funding to deal with this, however local hospices report that no further support has been given.

Speaking during Energy Security and Net Zero oral questions in Parliament, Tim said: “Mr. Speaker, this morning I got a text from someone from one of our leadership teams from one of our local hospices.

“It said this; 'Tim there has been no additional support for our energy costs. Costs have gone up, whilst statutory support has not changed. Hospices UK lobbied for additional support but to no avail. We operate 24/7 and have to keep the heating on, Tim, you know what the weather is like in Cumbria in the winter.

“So when will the minister come up with a bespoke support scheme for our vital hospices?”

In response, Amanda Solloway said: “I would like to thank the honourable gentleman for the meeting that we have had to discuss this situation, and I'm also very mindful of the situation that hospices face.

“We have given support, and of course, I will make sure I keep monitoring the situation.”