A WOMAN recovering from cancer who fears losing her home says welfare cuts have made her feel like a "second class citizen".

Frances Connor, 54, of Easterhouse, Glasgow, will lose about 14% of her housing benefit payment through the so-called 'bedroom tax' because she has an empty room in her flat.

But she says the spare room is often occupied two or three times a week by her son when he needs to care for her.

Mrs Connor, who worked as a carer until she was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2009, says the UK Government is penalising "honest, hard-working people" for circumstances that are outwith their control.

The Evening Times has recently highlighted the issue in a series of articles on the UK Government's changes to welfare benefits.

Glasgow MP Margaret Curran raised Mrs Connor's plight in Westminster this week. She called on Scottish Secretary Michael Moore to look into the case asking why ministers were "making it impossible for a son to care for his mother".

Mrs Connor has also learned she is facing a £10 rise in rent for her ground floor home.

She is unable to work because of side-effects associated with chemotherapy. They have caused numbness in her feet and hands and mean she can't stay on her feet for long.

She said: "I have worked full-time since I left school. The Government is making me feel like a second-class citizen.

"If they want to get more money they should be pursuing the people who are conning the system, not disabled people like me.

"I was a factory worker for 27 years and then a home help. I loved my job and would love to go back to work but I can't.

"My rent is also going up £10. Between that and my housing benefit being cut, I don't know how I will cope. I can't sleep for thinking about it. My stress levels have gone through the roof.

"I feel angry and frustrated. I feel as if I am being penalised for having a disability."

Macmillan's general manager in Scotland, Allan Cowie, said: "Macmillan is very concerned that the bedroom tax will place further financial strain on those living with cancer and other long term conditions.

"This story highlights some of the difficult circumstances people are likely to find themselves in.

"We would like more clarity from the UK Government on what help, if any, is available for those who need a room to allow someone to stay overnight occasionally to help care for them while they are undergoing treatment or recovering from cancer."

caroline.wilson@ eveningtimes.co.uk