Spring Statement 2025 – Young Lives vs Cancer responds

Today (Wednesday 26 March) the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, set out the UK Government’s Spring Statement on financial and spending plans. The Statement focused mainly on spending in areas such as defence and housing, and re-iterated announcements made in recent weeks around reforms to welfare benefits and changes to NHS England. 

In response to the Statement, Rachel Kirby-Rider, Chief Executive at Young Lives vs Cancer, reflects on what this means for children and young people with cancer and their families: “The Spring Statement was a second chance for the UK Government to take concrete steps to better support children and young people with cancer and their families. However, they have not yet delivered the change needed, and risk leaving young people with cancer and families, already having to find £700 a month in extra costs from the moment of diagnosis, facing even further financial hardship.  

“Right now, we hear of families we support having to choose between food and travel to hospital. Some are struggling to afford their rent, and others empty their savings, all at a time when they should be focused on cancer treatment. Today was an opportunity to put better support systems in place, but the opportunity was missed. 

“Children and young people with cancer need a Young Cancer Patient Travel Fund to support with travel costs – the biggest cost they face during treatment. No one should miss appointments because of the costs – missed appointments also cost the NHS and can lead to poorer patient outcomes. 

“Issues in the benefits system persist, with patients and families waiting on average seven months. And they face almost £5000 in extra costs and loss of income, between diagnosis and their benefits decision. The application process to access these benefits causes unnecessary distress for families. On top of this, the reforms announced last week risk leaving young people and families struggling to access vital support they deserve. 

“The UK Government needs to go further with support for children and young people with cancer and their families, and we must see action soon. Young Lives vs Cancer is committed to working with the UK Government and partners to make sure children and young people with cancer, and their families, are heard and have the support they need and deserve.” 

What does the Spring Statement mean for children and young people with cancer and their families? 

The Spring Statement is the second time the UK Government have updated on their spending plans, but unlike the Autumn Budget, it is not typically used to announce major policy changes. Indeed, much in the statement was not new, re-iterating previous announcements on NHS reforms, and welfare benefits – with an additional change to the Universal Credit Health Allowance (a benefit given to people on Universal Credit with health issues) which will now be frozen for new claimants from April 2026 as well as being cut by 50% as announced last week*.  

Young Lives vs Cancer continue to highlight the risks the welfare benefits reforms pose and are assessing how these may impact children and young people with cancer. We hope the voices of young cancer patients and families are genuinely listened to in response to the reforms and through the ongoing consultation. 

The Chancellor also noted the Spending Review, which sets UK Government department budgets, will conclude by June 2025. This will be another critical opportunity to deliver the support children and young people with cancer and their families need.  

We hope the UK Government don’t miss this chance – and will introduce a Young Cancer Patient Travel Fund, improve the benefits system, and deliver more robust support for children and young people with cancer. We’re committed to working together with UK Government, and our sector partners, to amplify the needs and experiences of children and young people with cancer.  

* The welfare benefits reforms are UK Government policy. Some benefits, including disability benefits, are devolved in Scotland, and Scottish benefits are not directly impacted by the reforms. Universal Credit is not devolved, so changes will affect households across the UK including Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.