Young Lives vs Cancer response to the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government 2024-25

“We support the ambition to eradicate child poverty, but this must include addressing the financial impacts of a child or young person’s cancer diagnosis on families.” 

Sonia Malik, Head of Policy and Influencing at Young Lives vs Cancer responds to the Programme for Government 2024-25: 

“This week the Scottish Government outlined its priorities for the year ahead in its 2024-25 Programme for Government, presenting one of the last opportunities to improve the experiences of children and young people with cancer before the end of the parliamentary session. Unfortunately, the Programme falls short of delivering the necessary action to support the more than 300 children and young people in Scotland diagnosed with cancer each year. 

We recognise the difficult financial environment facing the Scottish Government, and welcome the positive steps they have outlined, such as efforts to tackle child poverty and support carers. We particularly commend the establishment of another Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Service, though it is disheartening that this will mainly benefit over 18s. Similarly, while additional funding to reduce waiting times for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) is welcomed, the recent announcement of an £18.8 million reduction in funding for Mental Health Services is disappointing, as there is much more that needs to be done so that children and young people with cancer, and their families, get the right mental health support at the right time. 

We support the commendable ambition to eradicate child poverty, but for this to be successful, this must include addressing the financial impacts of a child or young person’s cancer diagnosis on families. Our research shows that children and young people with cancer and their families face an average of £700 in additional costs every month, £250 of which is for travel costs to access their treatment and care. Coupled with a typical £6,000 annual income drop following a diagnosis, these costs can have devastating financial consequences; one in five families in Scotland report going into debt to afford travel, and nearly one-third fall behind on household bills. 

We call on the Scottish Government to ensure that the 2025-26 Budget addresses these critical gaps. The successful Young Patients Family Fund must not only be preserved but expanded to include those currently unable, but in desperate need, to access the Fund, including outpatients and young adults aged 18-25 as a matter of urgency. Children and young people with cancer deserve robust support, especially in a time of financial strain. Without this help for children and young people with cancer and their families, it won’t be possible to truly eradicate child poverty.”