Nearly one in three people are dying without the care they need, research shows. The news has triggered a major political response as hundreds of MP’s and peers demand urgent hospice funding reform.The figures released by Marie Curie found that 32 per cent of people who died experienced unmet need – meaning serious symptoms were not properly treated and they did not receive enough GP support.Researchers estimate that equates to around 200,000 people a year across the UK – roughly one person every three minutes.Now more than 240 MPs and peers from across Parliament have signed in support of calls to overhaul hospice funding, warning that end-of-life care must not be left to struggle on unstable charitable income.The cross-party backing comes as new data from Hospice UK reveals the sector is facing record financial strain. It says two in five hospices are planning to cut services this year, with 20 already forced to reduce care or make staff redundant.At the same time, 75 per cent of hospices in England are running a deficit, up from 70 per cent at the same point last year.The organisation has described the last financial year as the worst on record – and warns this year looks even tougher.There are around 250 hospice beds across the UK providing specialist care for people with terminal illnesses, helping control pain, manage symptoms and support families in the final days and weeks of life.Nearly one in three people are dying without the care they need | GETTYBut most are independent charities. While they receive some NHS funding, they rely heavily on fundraising and money left in wills.Figures from the consultancy group Legacy Futures show hospices’ share of all health charity income from wills has fallen from a quarter to a fifth over the past decade – a drop of 25 per cent.At the same time, running costs have risen sharply due to higher wages, energy bills and inflation.Campaigners say the combination of rising unmet need and worsening hospice finances is widening the gap between what families need and what services can provide.Cancer is one of Britain’s leading causes of death | GETTYThe Marie Curie research also found inequalities in care. People with multiple health conditions and those struggling financially were more likely to miss out on proper end-of-life support.Leading Oxford academic Dr Tom Jefferson said the situation demanded urgent action.“This is inhuman. I cannot describe what it is like to be dying, dehydrated, confused, cold or alone. If you are unconscious, you are lucky. As a medic and as a human being this is beyond disgraceful.”Jacqui Joseph – presenter, and Marie Curie ambassador said: “Everyone deserves a good death, and yet every three minutes, someone reaches the end of their life without the pain relief, support or basic comfort that proper palliative care provides.”These are mothers, husbands, brothers, friends – people who need dignity, not distress, in their final moments.”I’ve been at bedsides where good care made all the difference, where a person’s last hours were gentle, peaceful, and full of love. And I’ve heard too many stories of the opposite. Those stories stay with you.”This crisis of care affects families in every community, from busy cities to quiet rural towns.”Too often, people are left waiting for help that never arrives, or relying on loved ones who are exhausted, frightened, and forced to shoulder responsibilities they should never have to face alone. No one should spend their last hours fearing what comes next, or struggling with symptoms that could be eased.”The Government must fix this crisis now: we owe it to every family going through this today, and every family who will face it tomorrow.”MPs are calling for a review | HOUSE OF COMMONSMPs backing reform say end-of-life care should be treated as a core part of the health system, not left heavily dependent on charity fundraising.Charlie King, Director of External Affairs at Hospice UK said: “Hospices not only support dying people, but also relieve pressure on the NHS. Many people don’t realise just how reliant hospices are on charitable giving – especially gifts left in people’s wills.”The government has been clear it wants to support the vital work of hospices. But it needs to act now to protect these services for the future.”More and more dying people need end of life care every year. Thousands already miss out, dying without proper pain relief or all the help they need.”Although the government has provided some very welcome short-term relief in the past couple of years we need a proper long term fair funding formula. We can always raise money but we do not accept funding for specialist medical care should rely on raising money from skydiving or selling second hand jeans.”As Britain’s population ages and demand for palliative care grows, supporters of reform argue that the system must be strengthened before more services are cut.A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “Hospices do incredible work to support people and families when they need it most and are facing incredibly tough pressures.“This government has made the biggest investment in hospices in a generation – £125 million – to improve hospice facilities, freeing other funding for patient care, and has also committed £80 million for children’s and young people’s hospices over three years.“We will soon set out our plans to modernise and improve the palliative and end of life care sector, as we shift more healthcare out of hospitals and into the community with GPs playing a central role in delivering care closer to home.”