Macmillan Cancer Support cuts quarter of staff and scraps hardship scheme

Exclusive: Charity says it has made drastic changes to safeguard future as Guardian finds it spent 100m more than it raised over last six years

Macmillan Cancer Support has axed a quarter of its staff, downgraded its helpline and scrapped its flagship financial hardship scheme that provides millions of pounds in grants to thousands of patients, the Guardian can reveal.

The UK's most popular charity says a tough financial climate" has led to it making drastic changes to safeguard its future and ensure it can still support the most vulnerable cancer patients.

50,000 low-income cancer patients a year with less than 1,000 in savings will lose access to 200 hardship grants with the closure of the scheme.

Macmillan has spent 100m more than it raised over the last six years.

In 2023, spending on wages and salaries surged to 80m, up by almost one-fifth (18%) from 68m in just 12 months.

In 2024, Macmillan told 1,200 staff - about 60% of its workforce - they were at risk of redundancy, with 431 leaving.