One in five terminally ill people dying in fuel poverty in Wales

A shocking new report by end of life charity Marie Curie has set out the stark financial reality of dying in Wales today.

The report, Dying in Poverty in Wales 2024, reveals that thousands of people are dying in poverty every year across the country – with 17 per cent of all those who died in Wales in 2023, dying in poverty.

Blaenau Gwent had the largest proportion of working age and pension age people dying in poverty in Wales; it was among the top 20 UK local authorities with the highest proportion of working age people dying in poverty.

Once again, much like the charity’s previous research, the Dying in Poverty in Wales 2024 report shows that people who die before reaching retirement age are at a much higher risk of dying in poverty than pensioners (30% vs 17%).   People with terminal illnesses often experience a “double impact” of lost income and rising costs, particularly energy bills.

The report also reveals a deeply concerning analysis of how many people are dying in fuel poverty, with one in five terminally ill people dying in fuel poverty in 2022 in Wales.

Marie Curie Cymru Senior Policy Manager, Natasha Davies, said:  “Too many people in Wales are dying in poverty. Whichever way you cut it, terminally ill people are at greater risk of poverty, a situation that remains unchanged since 2019. This simply isn’t good enough.

“No one should have to face their final days worrying about money or whether they can afford to heat their home.

“Action can and must be taken urgently to reduce the financial strain that the end of life can bring. While not all levers for tackling poverty are available to the Welsh Government, Welsh administered benefits can and should be used to prevent terminally ill people from experiencing poverty.”

Marie Curie is now calling on the Welsh Government to take measures to ensure this worry does not continue for people at one of their most vulnerable times of life.

The charity asks the Welsh Government to include terminally ill people in the new Council Tax Reduction Scheme and is also calling for additional financial support for terminally ill people to help with energy costs.

Marie Curie is also asking the UK Government to introduce a social tariff to cut energy bills for people at the end of life. A social tariff that halves energy bills could lift as many as 54,000 people out of fuel poverty across the UK.

Dr Esyllt Llwyd, a GP based in Caernarfon, says she sees the impact of poverty on people at end of life in her community.

She said: “Patients are already navigating a difficult time when they receive a terminal diagnosis, and to see people also struggle with finances during that time is devastating.

“I’ve seen a retired couple who are having to consider hospice or hospital care, rather than being at home, mostly due to concern about care needs support, but the financial costs are also a consideration to them and they’re waiting for the SR1 to be processed.”

Since December 2022, thanks to a partnership with the UK Gas Distribution Networks, Marie Curie the charity has had dedicated Energy Support Officers working on the Marie Curie Support Line and has provided fuel poverty training for over 1000 Marie Curie staff and volunteers.

To sign Marie Curie’s petition, calling on the UK Government to fix the cost of dying crisis, visit mariecurie.org.uk