THIS WILL NOT BE A CAN-KICKING EXERCISE

HAVING a life-limiting illness or condition can cause unimaginable suffering for a patient and for their loved ones.

Having seen it in my own family I know that the last thing you need is additional financial pressures or unnecessary assessments.

So that’s why today I’m starting work on a fresh and honest evaluation of our benefits system.

I want to thank the Daily Express for its moving Compassion for the Dying crusade. We are determined to get this right, so we need a thorough evaluation.

I’m kicking off this robust piece of work straight away by inviting a dozen important charities and stakeholders to the Department for Work and Pensions today to meet me and share their thoughts.

It will be an opportunity for me and my officials to hear from the front line.

About 500,000 people die in England each year and around three quarters of those deaths are expected – that is they are not sudden or unexpected. And there are many more people who are living with serious chronic or progressive health conditions. So we are all aware that we need a system in which clinicians and claimants have confidence.

For now I am proposing three strands of research.

First, I want to hear directly from claimants and charities.

Second, I want to consider the international evidence. I want to know what works in other nations.

Finally, I will fully assess our own performance in the DWP.

We will work closely with all those who have a stake in the system – clinicians, patients and charities – seeking their input.

The Daily Express has been a dedicated campaigner for these changes. I want to assure readers this will not be a can-kicking exercise. I want this work to be done properly, thoughtfully, efficiently and at pace so we can bring about real change to the lives of people across Britain.