Speaking after a meeting with campaign charity Solving Kids Cancer, Carla Lockhart said:

“Since being elected to Westminster I have been endeavouring to raise the profile of childhood cancer, and the various needs associated with this devastating diagnosis.

It was good to meet with Solving Kids Cancer in Westminster to explore how we can raise these matters more effectively in Parliament. They are really focusing on the fact that there are little to no clinical trials for childhood cancer happening in the UK. There are lots of reasons as to why this is the case, but the main reason given is that it is not cost effective because of the fact that childhood cancer diagnosis are still small in numbers in comparison to adult diagnosis.

It is wrong that such matters come down to cost, whilst kids continue to be diagnosed with cancer. The lack of resource for research and development into novel childhood cancer treatments must be addressed, as must the limited access to novel therapies for children with cancer in the UK. This is forcing families into impossible decisions around accessing treatments overseas, at huge cost.

There is much work to be done in engaging with the Government on this issue and we must also continue to champion the issue around financial support for families whose lives are turned upside down upon a childhood cancer diagnosis. I will continue to raise these issues with Government and do all I can to make progress for children and families battling cancer.”