Cancer (Reporting and Strategy) Bill

Will Forster Excerpts

Friday 13th November 2026 Commons Chamber

[Clive Jones]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right that earlier intervention helps people to get back into the workforce faster. It helps families get back into the workforce faster as well, because people want to take time off to help loved ones going through cancer treatment.

The Bill does not ask the Government to adopt a new cancer strategy. It does not seek to score party political points, or impose unrealistic obligations on Ministers or officials. It simply asks that Parliament and the people we represent are given a clear account of progress against the commitments that the Government have already made. The Bill is uncontroversial, and the Government have not given any reasons why it should not be supported. The charities support the Bill, patients support the Bill, and I hope that Members across the House will support the Bill.

[Mr Will Forster (Woking) (LD)]

I thank my hon. Friend for introducing the Bill. He is right to highlight that it is supported by national charities across the board, including Walk the Walk, which is from Woking. It wants the national cancer strategy and the Government to lower the age for breast screening from 50 to 40. Does he agree that that would save lives? I hope that the Government and the Minister will agree to implement that as soon as possible.

[Clive Jones]

I thank my hon. Friend for mentioning Walk the Walk, which is a most fantastic charity. I did a walk with it this year, and there is another walk on 15 May next year—perhaps Members might want to join me on it. Before covid, that charity always had quite a number of MPs join in the walk; since covid, it has had hardly any. My hon. Friend’s point about reducing the age for screening is absolutely valid.

In my view, rejecting this Bill would be a mistake—a mistake for the Prime Minister and for the Secretary of State. It would mean that the Prime Minister’s warm words are, sadly, just words. Cancer patients deserve more than promises; they deserve transparency, accountability, and confidence that commitments made today will be honoured tomorrow. I commend the Bill to the House.