KATE Garraway has revealed she attempted to release funds from husband Derek Draper’s pension to pay for his crippling care bills – yet heard nothing back from the taxman.
The Good Morning Britain anchor, 56, previously told The Sun about the huge medical fees she faced for the care for her late husband as she confessed “there’s no special treatment because I’m on TV”.
Kate‘s spouse, political lobbyist Derek Draper, tragically died aged 56 following four years of health struggles.
He was left fighting for his life in hospital after suffering a heart attack over the festive period.
The dad of two was one of the UK’s longest-suffering Covid patients after being diagnosed in March 2020.
On Thursday’s Good Morning Britain, Kate and co-host Ed Balls, 57, were discussing the billions of pounds going unclaimed from forgotten pensions.
Kate admitted to the show guests: “It’s only when a crisis hits you suddenly think hmm.
“I have experience of this, Derek fell very ill in March 2020.
“I was aware that he had some pensions, I had a small one that I knew.
“I tried to find out if I could do that early release to try to pay for his bills.”
She added: “I’ve sent in things … and tried to contact HMRC and I’ve never heard. So it’s not an easy thing to track things down.”
Previously, Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis offered advice on how to track down historic pensions.
CARE COSTS
Kate previously opened up to The Sun on the crippling costs of Derek’s care.
She said: “Of course it’s been tough financially.
“As anyone with a loved one who is seriously ill knows, the costs go through the roof in so many ways.
“You have to make changes to your home and it affects your ability to work.
“I had to take long periods off when Derek was first sick, and of course if affects the overall income for the family as he can no longer work.
“We had to wind up the business we had together, and also I’ve had to take on assistants so that I can focus on Derek when not on air.
“Derek was always so incredibly supportive of my work, but I didn’t realise just how much he did do in that area until he couldn’t anymore.”
Prior to his passing, Kate and Derek headed to Mexico for round two of a “potentially life-saving” medical trial, paid for by Kate.
“As anyone with a loved one who is seriously ill knows, the costs go through the roof in so many ways
Kate Garraway
HUGE DEBT
Kate’s care costs for Derek were previously estimated at £800k.
She previously told she was in “survival mode” as the figures escalated.
In an interview with The Times, Kate estimated the care debt to be between £500k and £800k.
She said: “Derek’s needs were clearly so great, yet he didn’t warrant funded care — so you think, ‘If he isn’t getting it, then who is?'”
Before he died, Kate already owed more than £700k due to his psychotherapeutic company going bust, with Kate possessing no legal authority to administer his business affairs when he became unwell.
- Visit our Good Morning Britain page for the latest updates