No mum should have to choose between keeping the lights on today and ensuring a safe tomorrow for their children. But that’s the impossible choice hospital cleaner Judith Thorpe was forced into, crippled by money worries over skyrocketing bills.
Struggling on a low wage of £14,500 a year, she cashed in her meagre NHS pension to help pay her rapidly rising bills.
Family members said Judith would do anything for her two teenage daughters.
Judith died suddenly last week from a rare form of Covid – but because she cancelled her pension, her family no longer qualify for a £30,000 death in membership payout.
Her children have been robbed of their mother by coronavirus, robbed by soaring fuel bills and robbed of the financial security a payout would have brought.
Financial worries were very much on Judith’s mind when she made her decision to cancel her pension.
She was forced into the choice by the Government’s failure to crack down on energy giants – who have announced billions in profit.
The Tories, too busy in-fighting over their leadership contest, must act now to prevent more families having to make heartbreaking choices in order to make ends meet.
With fuel bills predicted to reach a devastating £5,000 a year by January, and the poorest expected to be hit the hardest, the time to act is now to prevent any more tragedies like the one endured by Judith’s family.
Breaking point
When NHS nurses are so concerned over pay and staff shortages that they are willing to go on strike during the crucial winter period, we should pay attention.
And when almost two-thirds of the public are on their side, the Government must listen too.
Nurses know how vital they are and that walkouts are a last resort – but they also know when something desperately needs to change.
And when people in power aren’t taking notice, the Royal College of Nurses feels they have no choice. During the pandemic, this newspaper, Boris Johnson and the whole country hailed NHS workers as heroes.
Now they face the pressures of infuriating staff shortages and finding themselves £1,000 worse off as we approach the busiest time of the year for health and care services.
Heroes deserve so much better than being overworked and underpaid.
Roar courage
Speaking of absolute heroes, 13-year-old footballer Cerys Edgson certainly qualifies.
She battled through paralysing mini-strokes that she feared would end her football career.
A year on, she has recovered from a life-changing operation, signed up with Stoke City – and has her sights set on playing for England.
Courage, determination and talent… all the hallmarks of a future Lioness.
