MACMILLAN CANCER RELIEF'S BETTER DEAL CAMPAIGN

Early day motion 99, tabled 23 November 2004 by Ian Gibson (Labour). Signed by 126 members.

That this House congratulates Macmillan Cancer Relief on the successful launch of its exciting new Better Deal campaign to get a better deal for people dealing with cancer, especially from the benefits system; notes that three quarters of people surveyed by Macmillan who have had a cancer diagnosis say they suffered financially as a result; further notes that, for some people affected by cancer, money worries are second only to pain as a cause of stress; welcomes Macmillan's resolve to champion these issues and campaign with people struggling to meet the unexpected extra costs resulting from the debilitating effects of treatment, including travel to hospital, hospital car parking and higher heating bills; supports Macmillan's call for the Government to ensure that every cancer patient is offered specialist benefits and advice at diagnosis and to change the law to improve cancer patients' access to disability living allowance (DLA) and attendance allowance (AA); and calls on the Government to stop cancer spreading to people's finances and to act urgently to ensure that the DLA and AA schemes are fast, fit for purpose and fair for people dealing with cancer.

Signatures by party: Labour 70, Liberal Democrat 25, Conservative 10, Labour/Co-operative 7, Scottish National Party 5, DUP 3, UUP 3, Independent 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.