A LETTER calling on the Chancellor to secure the long-term future of the Children’s Hospice Grant has been co-signed by Bromsgrove MP Bradley Thomas.
Last year, the MP was successful in lobbying the Government to secure a one-year extension to the vital funding after fears local hospice Acorns was at risk of losing considerable amounts of financial backing.
Back in January, the Government confirmed hospices for children and young people will receive a further £26 million revenue funding for 2025/26.
However, the Government has yet to guarantee the funding for at least five years and increase it by the rate of inflation every year as was called for by hospices and MPs.
Now, Mr Thomas has joined West Midlands MPs in co-signing a letter to the Chancellor Rachel Reeves on behalf of Acorns Children’s Hospice which is headquartered in Wythall.
In the letter the MPs have asked the Government to do two things. First, to secure the Children’s Hospice Grant for a minimum of five more years. Second, to ensure this funding rises annually in line with inflation.
Mr Thomas said: “Whilst I of course welcomed the funding for children’s hospices this year, it remains disappointing that the Government failed to guarantee it for the future.
“I hope we can get the Chancellor to the table to make the case for the long-term future of this vital funding to be guaranteed.
“In the meantime, I will continue to work with Acorns and the hospice sector to ensure they receive the long-term funding they need to enable them to be there for every child and family who needs them.”
Hospices like Acorns remain under huge financial pressure. Following the increase in employer National Insurance contributions, Acorns was hit with a £416,000 increase in its bill.
The hospice told Mr Thomas that, with no increase in non-capital funding for hospices, they will have to cover the increased costs using charitable donations.
