Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the financial burden on families which are directly affected by cancer.

The cancer care review, part of the cancer recovery package that is being rolled out across the National Health Service, is carried out within six months of a cancer diagnosis and covers post-treatment support, including the financial impact of cancer and patient awareness of prescription exemptions. Additionally, the Government provides financial safeguards for families that are directly affected by cancer through a range of benefits including Disability Living Allowance for children and young people with critical or serious illnesses; or Personal Independence Payment for those 16 or above; and Employment and Support Allowance for people over 16 who are unable to work. Carers may also qualify for Carer’s Allowance provided they meet the eligibility criteria.