Rare Cancers Bill

Baroness Elliott of Whitburn Bay Excerpts

Friday 27th February 2026 Lords Chamber

Moved by

[Baroness Elliott of Whitburn Bay]

That the Bill do now pass.

[Baroness Elliott of Whitburn Bay (Lab)]

My Lords, I want to say a few words about the genuine cross-party co-operation in getting the Bill to this point. This has been this House and the other place at their best. I shall say a few thanks, first to Dr Scott Arthur MP, who introduced the Bill in the other place, supported forcefully—I think that is the word—by our dear friend Dame Siobhain McDonagh MP, who was so personally affected by the issues in the Bill.

The implementation of what is in the Bill will make a difference to the 55% of people who die of a rare cancer. I met a young man the other day who had lost both parents to glioblastoma, and he was overjoyed that we were doing this. That is something that we as public servants need to remember when we debate issues in this House: what we do and say has a real impact on people out there whose lives are affected by the laws we make.

On a very positive note, we should remember today dear friends from this place who have passed, Baroness Margaret McDonagh and Baroness Tessa Jowell, who lost their lives to one of these rare cancers. They were both formidable women who were struck down in the prime of their time, and we should not forget that.

I thank all noble Lords who made very personal speeches at Second Reading, telling their own stories about themselves and their families and friends. I say a personal thank you to them for that. I thank everyone for their support in getting the Bill to this point.