National Voices call on Health Secretary to take urgent action on cost of living crisis

As a person with a long-term condition, requiring dialysis at a great cost, Phoenix says that he feels he is being priced out of existence.

Phoenix’s situation is not unique and the issues he experiences do not only apply to people relying on dialysis. In our conversations with members, we have increasingly been hearing about how the cost of living crisis is affecting many different groups of people living with ill health and disability.

Phoenix is one of many people featured in National Voices’ recent report on the cost of living crisis, which outlines just some of the ways that the cost of living crisis is affecting people with musculoskeletal conditions, cancer, Crohn’s and Colitis, kidney conditions, poor mental health and more.

In response to today’s Prime Ministers Questions, National Voices have written to Sajid Javid, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, asking for an urgent meeting together with Phoenix and our members to share our insights on how the cost of living crisis is affecting people living with ill health and what can be done to address this.

Responding to events in parliament today Sarah Sweeney, Head of Policy at National Voices said:

“People living with ill health and disability are much more likely than others to be pulled into poverty because of the cost of living crisis. The Government have said that levelling up is at the heart of their agenda but are slow to take action while people struggle with rising costs. With some basic measures – targeted energy grants, longer term capped energy charges, by raising statutory sick pay and stopping prescription charges – the Government can help people with ill health stay afloat. It is time to put their money where their mouth is. We all need support from others when we’re struggling.”

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