More than 40 MPs and peers, along with 30 hospices, have rallied behind a campaign launched by not-for-profit energy consultancy Box Power CIC, proposing that the first £100 million of annual Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) fines be allocated directly to the struggling hospice sector.
The campaign, which started from a change.org petition that has now amassed 36,000 signatures, is asking for the general public to ask their MP to support the motion.
Based in Bolton, Corin Dalby, CEO of Box Power CIC, and Tricia Dalby, COO of Box Power CIC, are hoping to raise the support of a majority of MPs and will be handing their campaign letter in to 10 Downing Street on December, 10 with many MPs in attendance.
Hospices across the UK already faced a £70 million funding shortfall when Box Power CIC’s campaign began, and with job losses and reduced hours announced across multiple hospices, it is clear the situation has worsened, NHS contributions cover just 10% to 25% of hospices’ operating costs, with organisations such as Hospice UK calling on the government to provide a long-term, sustainable solution.
Founded in 2014 by Corin and Tricia Dalby, Box Power CIC is the UK’s first philanthropic not-for-profit energy consultancy for business. The company celebrated its 10th year in business by donating a whopping £10,000 each to local charities close to their hearts including Bolton Hospice and in total have donated over £800,000 of company profits to charities in the northwest.
Corin Dalby, says: “We are calling for the public to write to their MP and ask them to support our campaign. As a supporter of hospices, it is heart-breaking to see many who have invested time and fundraising to keep hospices open struggle to cover basic operating costs.
“Some have tirelessly fundraised to build precious rooms left empty because they cannot fund them due to cost constraints, placing added burden on donations. It is shocking, despite the reality that a well-funded hospice sector would ease the pressure on NHS and social care, hospices only receive between 20-33% of state funding.
“There are hundreds of millions in annual FCA fines which go into the government pot and generally as a result of an injustice to the UK people who may benefit from the services offered by hospices, there is no better way to complete the circle by allocating these funds to the UK hospice sector.”
The campaign gains further relevance as the last week alone have seen FCA fines of £40 million for Barclay’s Bank and £13 million for Macquarie Bank. The total for this year now stands at £174 million.
The petition has attracted significant cross-party political support, with MPs including Stuart Andrew, Phil Brickell, Kirith Entwistle, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, John McDonnell, Nadia Whittome, John Milne and Paul Kohler signing up.
Entwistle said: “Championing hospices, both locally and in parliament, is a cause I deeply care about. I am proud to support Bolton Hospice, whose brilliant staff work tirelessly to provide exceptional care.”
Andrew, MP for Daventry, said: “I worked in hospices for 16 years, so I am well aware of the challenges the sector faces and always happy to lend my support to the cause.”
Brickell, MP for Bolton West, said: “Hospices, including Bolton Hospice who I have and will continue to support throughout my time as MP, provide absolutely vital support to those in need.”
Members of Parliament and Peers supporting include Adrian Ramsay, Danny Chambers, Phil Brickell, Cat Eccles, Stuart Andrew, Dr Simon Opher, James Frith, Sir Alec Shelbrooke, Kevin Hollinrake, Brian Mathew, Steve Darling, Nigel Farage, Llinos Medi, Ayoub Khan, Sir Desmond Swayne, Rebecca Smith, Danny Kruger, Sir Christopher Chope, John Milne, Paul Kohler, Ann Davies, Yasmin Qureshi, John McDonnell, Jacob Collier, Blake Stephenson, Jack Rankin, Mims Davies, Dr Al Pinkerton, Kirith Entwistle, Ian Byrne, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Josh Newbury, Chris Coghlan, Dame Caroline Dinenage, Ian Roome, Nadia Whittome, Andrew Rosindell, Luke Taylor, Will Stone, Lord Graham Brady, Lord Monks, Baroness Pinnock of Cleckheaton
Hospices supporting the campaign include Birmingham Hospice, Hope House and Ty Gobaith, Derian House Children’s Hospice, Hospice at Home West Cumbria, Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland, Rowcroft Hospice, Kate’s Home Nursing, Bury Hospice, Prospect Hospice, Dorothy House Hospice Care, St Wilfrid’s, Hospice Chichester, North Devon Hospice, St Kentigern Hospice, Longfield Hospice, St Wilfrid’s Hospice Eastbourne, St Raphael’s Hospice, Hospice of the Good Shepherd, Weldmar Hospicecare, St Helena, Julia’s House, Children’s Hospices, Ardgowan Hospice, Weston Hospicecare, Keech Hospicecare, St Peter & St James Charitable Trust, Saint Michael’s Hospice, Herriot Hospice Homecare, Strathcarron Hospice, St Christopher’s and St David’s Hospice (North Wales), Haven House Hospice, St Andrews Hospice Grimsby, St Mary’s Hospice, Hospice of the Valleys
Founded in 2014, Box Power CIC is the UK’s first philanthropic not-for-profit energy consultancy for business. In 2021, Box Power donated £800,000 to North West charities.
