Devastating cuts will leave people “cold and lonely” this Christmas says UK cancer charity

Thousands of people with cancer will feel “cold and lonely” this Christmas because they do not have enough money to celebrate or heat their homes, a charity has warned.

Almost 170,000 people in Britain with cancer are unable to join in special family events such as Christmas due to a lack of cash, according to Macmillan Cancer Support. Its survey of almost 1,000 people living with cancer also found 9% said they had to miss out on visiting family and friends as they could not afford it.

Other research of more than 1,600 people who have been in touch with Macmillan found 28% were unable to adequately heat their home in winter due to money worries. Cancer patients are more likely to feel the cold.