Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking, as part of the National Cancer Plan for England, to ensure equitable and timely access to innovative cancer treatments across England, including for patients with advanced bowel cancer; and what assessment he has made of variation in access to targeted therapies between England and other UK nations.

The National Cancer Plan published in February 2026, sets out how we will ensure equitable and timely access to cancer care and treatment and improve outcomes for thousands of patients across England. It will shift healthcare from hospitals to the community and ensure that all cancer patients, regardless of where they live, have timely access to high-quality, specialist cancer services, including for those with advanced bowel cancer.

National Health Service regions and Cancer Alliances will jointly identify underperforming trusts and provide intensive support including leadership intervention, peer-to-peer mentoring, and seconding senior managers from stronger trusts. Cancer Alliances will have access to £200 million of ringfenced cancer funding in 2026/27 to improve cancer pathway performance, reduce delays, and speed up diagnosis, ensuring that all patients, including those with advanced bowel cancer, receive the care and treatment they need when they need it.