Organizations supporting individuals with cancer have called for an urgent increase in Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) in the UK, highlighting the financial struggles faced by those living with the disease. The Safe Sick Pay campaign has estimated that approximately a quarter of a million working-age people with cancer are struggling to cover essential expenses due to insufficient income from SSP.
Cancer patients in the United Kingdom are struggling to cope financially due to low levels of statutory sick pay. The rate, currently at £116.75 per week, fails to cover additional expenses such as hospital parking, travel to treatment, and increased heating bills. A dozen charities have urged Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer to make changes to the system, which is leaving patients worse off by thousands of pounds.
A new report reveals that approximately 250,000 cancer patients in the UK face financial hardship due to low statutory sick pay (SSP). The SSP currently provides £116.75 per week, which is an income replacement rate of 17% for the average salary. This inadequate support, coupled with additional cancer-related expenses, creates a significant financial burden for patients.
