Ilkley MP meets Marie Curie nurses to discuss Great Daffodil Appeal and crisis in end-of-life care
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Keighley and Ilkley MP Robbie Moore has met with nurses from Marie Curie at an event in Westminster to celebrate the charity’s annual Great Daffodil Appeal and hear about the crisis in end-of-life care.
Mr Moore pledged his support to the appeal and is urging people across Keighley and Ilkley to donate and wear one of Marie Curie’s iconic daffodil pins, as well as legislative change to protect the palliative care sector.
It comes after Marie Curie, the UK's leading end of life charity, wrote to Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting in 2024 stating the increase to employer National Insurance contributions will cost the charity an additional £2.92million.
In March 2025, Mr Moore supported amendments to exempt GP surgeries, hospices, care homes from proposed rises to employer national insurance contributions (NICs) in December 2024.
However the plans were voted down by the government, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer saying hospices and other organisations had already received extra support and the tax rise was needed to invest in the NHS.
New research published last month by Marie Curie shows that nearly one in three people are still dying without the support they need. That is almost one person every three minutes spending their final moments with unmet needs.
By donating and wearing a daffodil pin this March, local people can help change that, supporting Marie Curie Nurses to provide expert end-of-life care when there’s no cure, whatever the illness.
The money raised also helps fund the charity’s free support line and webchat, available to anyone living with a terminal illness and to those close to them. It offers practical guidance and emotional support on any aspect of dying, death and bereavement, ensuring no one must face these moments alone.
Robbie Moore MP said:
“We are lucky to have exceptional organisations locally caring for and supporting those at the end of their lives and their loved ones. No one should have to face this time alone, and the work Marie Curie does to bring comfort, dignity, and expert care is outstanding.
"However, these brilliant organisations also need to see proper legislative action to help them do what they do. That is exactly why I voted to exempt the hospice sector, as well as care homes and GP surgeries, from the government’s misjudged rise in Employers National Insurance last year, which was unfortunately voted down by the government. This is only adding an additional cost burden to the sector, which is why I will be continuing to campaign for proper funding for end-of-life care in my role as MP.
"I encourage everyone in Keighley and Ilkley to support the Great Daffodil Appeal in any way they can - whether that’s by donating, wearing a daffodil, or simply spreading awareness. Every contribution makes a difference in ensuring more people get the care they deserve.”
Matthew Reed, Chief Executive at Marie Curie, said:
“Right now, there is a crisis in end of life care. For far too many people, their experiences of the end of life are marked by avoidable pain, poverty, and worry about where to turn for help. This lack of care is heaping greater pressure on our health system, as more people at the end of life are reaching crisis point, and are forced to visit A&E or call an ambulance to get the help they need.
“Marie Curie is working hard to ensure everyone has the expert care they need at the end of their lives, but we need the support of our politicians to fix this crisis. That’s why we’re so grateful for Robbie Moore MP supporting our work and the Great Daffodil Appeal.”
For information and to donate, please visit: mariecurie.org.uk/daffodil
