Business of the House

Clive Jones Excerpts

Thursday 29th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I thank my hon. Friend for the innovative work that she and her constituents are doing, and I join her in praising them. We are supporting local businesses and our high streets in all sorts of ways, not least through Pride in Place. As I have said consistently, local people are best placed to make decisions about their local communities, and it sounds as though my hon. Friend is helping to make that happen.

[Clive Jones (Wokingham) (LD)]

Patients, cancer charities and healthcare professionals have been calling for urgent investment in oncology to prevent a postcode lottery of care. Unfortunately, regional inequalities exist, denying many patients access to effective treatment or quicker diagnosis. Will the House schedule time to consider what funding and workforce measures are being prioritised in the national cancer plan to address the gaps?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The hon. Gentleman raises a really important matter: the postcode lottery that can exist in cancer care. Of course, the Government do not want that to happen, which is why we are investing more across the NHS, but also through the NHS plan, to ensure that we iron out any differences that exist across the country. I will draw his remarks to the attention of the Health Secretary to see if and when he can bring forward a statement on these matters. Otherwise, we might be able to have the debate that the hon. Gentleman suggests.