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Written question asked by Paul Davies (Labour) on Monday, 9 December 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 11 December 2024. It was answered by Stephen Timms (Labour) on Friday, 13 December 2024 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Poverty: Kirklees

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to tackle the number of people dying in poverty in Kirklees.

Answer

The Department has noted the recommendations made in the report, and values Marie Curie as a key stakeholder which engages with us constructively in this area. The primary way the Department supports people nearing the end of life is through special benefit rules which are known as the Special Rules for End of Life (SREL). These enable people who are nearing the end of their lives to get faster, easier access to certain benefits, without needing to attend a medical assessment or serve waiting periods and in most cases, receive the highest rate of benefit.

For many years, the Special Rules applied to people who have 6 months or less to live, they have now been changed so they apply to people who have 12 months or less to live.  Changes to the Special Rules mean that thousands of people nearing the end of life are now able to claim fast-tracked financial support from the benefits system six months earlier than they were able to previously.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
18832
Session
2024-26
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Poverty Death Kirklees
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk