The statistics from Hospice UK shed light on the acute financial challenges faced by hospices due to a chronic shortage of funding.

Over half (57 per cent) of hospices in the country concluded the last financial year (2024-25) with a budget shortfall, with 20 per cent recording a deficit of more than £1 million.

Short-term funding from the government provided some relief but fell short of addressing the sector’s severe financial strain.

Hospice UK is urging the government to fully fund the specialist palliative care provided by hospices and implement additional measures to alleviate the financial burden.

Toby Porter, the chief executive of Hospice UK, said: “We’ve been ringing the alarm on hospice funding for some time, yet too many hospices are still struggling to cope with the rising cost of providing their essential care.

“Sixteen hospices have already made significant service cuts, and our data shows two in five of all UK hospices are planning to make cuts this year.

“This cannot continue.

“We need a long-term solution to hospice funding to ensure dying people get the care they need.”

The financial struggles are particularly pronounced in hospices such as Swindon’s Prospect Hospice, which has been forced to implement service cuts over the past two years.

Jeremy Lune, the chief executive of Prospect Hospice, said: “had to make reactive cuts over the last two years, including closing beds and limiting the number of people that we can support in the comfort of their own homes as they near the end of their lives.”

Three Cambridgeshire MPs have also voiced concerns over the severe funding cuts threatening the future of Arthur Rank Hospice, which is facing a £829,000 funding deficit due to the withdrawal of a long-standing contribution from local hospitals.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care said: “This government recognises the incredible work that hospices do across the country.

“Through our 10 Year Health Plan, we are working to make sure the palliative and end of life care sector is sustainable as we shift more healthcare out of hospitals and into the community.

“Our £100 million investment to improve hospice facilities is the biggest in a generation, and NHS England is also providing £26 million for children and young people’s hospices.”