Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of increasing research funding to improve (a) the diagnosis and (b) the treatment of childhood cancers as part of the Government’s 10-Year Cancer Plan for England.
No specific assessment has been made. The Department invests in health research through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). In 2020/21, the NIHR’s total expenditure on cancer research was £73.5 million.
Officials are currently analysing the responses to the call for evidence to develop the 10 Year Cancer Plan. The Plan will set out ambitions for cancer care, including diagnosis and treatments provided to patients, including children.