Young Lives vs Cancer calls for a Young Cancer Patient Travel Fund ahead of the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget statement

On October 27 the Chancellor will give his autumn budget statement, setting out the money that government departments can expect over the next few years, much of which is expected to focus on aiding the country’s recovery from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. In our submission to the Comprehensive Spending Review, Young Lives vs Cancer urged the Government to fund a Young Cancer Patient Travel Fund. Read a summary of our submission below: 

Children and young people with cancer face journeys twice as long and costing twice as much as adults, to receive specialist treatment in the UK. They often have  to stay away from home for long periods of time, or  regularly travel long distances to receive life-saving cancer treatment. Young Lives vs Cancer found that families face an average return journey of 60 miles on their ‘cancer commute’ costing families £180 extra a month when treatment is at its most intense (Young Lives vs Cancer 2019).  

• Young Lives vs Cancer is calling for a Young Cancer Patient Travel Fund, administered by the charity, which meets their unique needs so that no family faces being in a position where they can’t afford to get to their child’s cancer treatment.

• A Young Cancer Patient Travel Fund in England would mean that every child and young person with cancer would be able to fund travel to treatment regardless of their economic background, where they live, and where they have to travel to. It will also mitigate risk of lack of adherence to treatment protocols because of financial hardship

• This year, the Scottish Government launched a £5 Million annual Young Patient Family Fund, covering expenses for travel, food and overnight accommodation where necessary. This is a significant step for families in Scotland, and will make a big difference to the lives of those who require it, as they will now be financially supported in all aspects involved with traversing across the country to meet their children’s treatment needs.

• We want to ensure that all families across the UK are supported to access life-saving cancer treatment for their children. So, we are calling for £1 million  over  a year for a pilot fund in England to show the impact of this vital and sustainable relief for families travelling for treatment. 

Read more about our campaign for a Young Cancer Patients Travel fund.