Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the rising cost of living on people with chronic conditions, such as sickle cell disease.

The Government understands that people across the UK and especially the most vulnerable members of society, such as those suffering from long-term health conditions and disabilities, are worried about the rising cost of living. That is why the Government is taking decisive action to get households through this winter, while ensuring we act in a fiscally responsible way.

People in receipt of extra-costs disability benefits such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) will receive a one-off Disability Cost of Living Payment of £150 from 20th September, to help with the extra costs disabled people are facing. The DWP has already processed around 6 million such payments.

The Government is also providing a £650 Cost of Living Payment to recipients of means-tested benefits, to support people with low incomes with the rising cost of living. Individuals who have limited ability to work because of their health condition, and are in receipt of means-tested benefits such as income-related Employment and Support Allowance or the Universal Credit Health top up, are therefore eligible for this support.

Those living with a long-term health condition, such as sickle cell disease, can also benefit from other forms of non-means-tested support which the Government is providing to assist with UK households’ energy bills.

Firstly via the recently announced Energy Price Guarantee, a typical UK household will have to pay energy bills equivalent to no more than £2500 a year this winter. The Energy Price Guarantee will reduce the unit cost of electricity and gas and will supersede the existing energy price cap. Beyond April 2023, a Treasury-led review will consider how to support households and businesses with energy bills after April 2023.

Secondly via the Energy Bills Support Scheme, which will provide £400 to help with domestic energy bills. All households in Council Tax bands A-D will also receive the Government-funded £150 Council Tax Rebate, which will be delivered by Local Authorities.

Lastly, to support households who need further help or who are not eligible for elements of the wider package of support, the Government is also providing an extra £500 million of local support to help with the cost of essentials, via the Household Support Fund.