Toby Porter, CEO of Hospice UK, which represents the UK's 200 hospices, responds to the Budget announced on Wednesday 30 October 2024.
Text
"Yesterday, we were pleased to hear the Health and Social Care Secretary acknowledge that the current funding formula for hospices is not fit for purpose. However, we are disappointed the Chancellor hasn't immediately addressed the crisis in the hospice sector in today's Budget.
"This couldn't be more urgent - the number of people dying each year in the UK is going up significantly, and right now, hospices are making service reductions and redundancies. Without an exemption to the rise in Employer National Insurance Contributions, hospices will face even further financial burden.
"Hospices ease pressure on the NHS and mean more people die in their preferred place of death with the care they need. It makes good sense for patients, families and the taxpayer for this to be recognised in the upcoming spending review and NHS ten-year plan.
"Emergency funding and long-term reform to the way the sector is funded will mean hospices can play a huge role in moving more care into the community. We look forward to working with the UK Government to get the hospice sector onto a more secure financial footing and are glad to hear the Health Secretary plans to prioritise end of life care.
"With significant additional funding coming to Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish Governments, it is vital that they urgently provide fairer funding for hospice care, to ensure hospices can meet rising costs and continue to provide excellent care.
"We are also pleased to see an increase in the earnings limit for Carer’s Allowance, which is something we have called for in our recent report on death, dying and financial hardship. However, there is still much more to be done to protect people dying in poverty."
