Support for the hospice sector

That this House applauds the excellent end of life care and support provided by hospices across the UK to 300,000 people and their families every year; is concerned by the financial strain placed upon hospices due to the soaring costs of energy which places around £100m of additional costs a year; appreciates the significant impact the cost of living crisis is having on the hospice sector’s fundraising which accounts for two thirds of adult’s hospice income and four fifths of children’s hospice income; values the critical role the hospice sector has within the UK’s health and care system; understands that the work of hospices relieve pressure on the NHS; is mindful that simply reducing energy consumption is not a viable option for hospices which need to keep medical machines running and inpatient units warm for those in their care; further understands that increased running costs cannot be passed on to service users as they would in the business sector; and urgently calls for additional support with energy costs to be provided to the hospice sector which may otherwise struggle to continue with its valuable work to those requiring end of life care and their families.