Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the letter of 29 April 2020 from the NHS Chief Executive and NHS Chief Operating Officer to the Chief executives of all NHS trusts and foundation trusts et al, if he will publish data on the extent of the backlog of cancer treatment during the period of the second phase of the NHS's response to the covid-19 outbreak.

Data on cancer referrals and treatments is collected and published by NHS England and available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/cancer-waiting-times/

Latest data available is April 2020, data for May 2020 will be published on 9 July 2020.

The National Health Service has continued to provide urgent and emergency services throughout the outbreak and has run the ‘Open for Business’ media campaign to encourage people with potentially serious health issues, such as cancer, to continue to seek medical advice and attend essential appointments. Cancer Alliances and Cancer Hubs have identified surgical capacity to meet demand for cancer services and treatments at this time.