Critical illness often compounded by financial pressures - research

‘Support network’ also hit – Royal London

clock • 2 min read

Half (51%) of those who have been diagnosed with a critical illness, such as cancer, heart attack or stroke, have also faced a shortfall in their income, according to research from Royal London.

The survey of 3,004 UK adults, which was conducted for the insurer by Opinium, also found two-thirds  (65%) of those who faced a financial burden, due either to their own or a loved one's critical illness, covered their outgoings using their existing day-to-day personal finances while three in 10 (31%) dipped into their savings. Royal London group head of protection strategy Debbie Kennedy (pictured) said: "Employees who are too ill to work are entitled to Statutory Sick Pay from their employer - £89.35 per week for up to 28 weeks - but this would not be enough to cover the extra expense...

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