Responding to a letter from the Health and Social Care Committee in May outlining the key findings of the Future Cancer Inquiry, Streeting said the DHSC ‘will be publishing a National Cancer Plan, as recommended by the committee'.

Streeting added: ‘The Department is currently working on what form this plan will take and how it is aligned with the conclusions of the 10-Year Health Plan.'

The committee's letter in May detailed a range of findings and made recommendations relating to research, workforce, the adoption and scaling up of innovations in the field, access to treatments, collaboration and regulation and commercialisation. 

In its response, the DHSC committed to setting out details on the allocation of funding for surgical hubs, scanners and additional beds and equipment, including how many surgical hubs will be established. In the meantime, Streeting set out the steps the DHSC is taking to support NHS performance and address the preventative causes of cancers.

The chair of the committee, Layla Moran MP, said: ‘Our predecessor committee warned that the current system of cancer care seemed "preoccupied with firefighting immediate issues" rather than looking to the future. It called for the redevelopment and publication of a long-term strategy for cancer with innovation at its core.  

‘It is encouraging to see this response from the new secretary of state and his stated commitment to a new cancer strategy. As a committee, we look forward to scrutinising the details of the Government's National Cancer Plan.'