The UK government has announced a new $13.7 million annual fund to cover travel costs for children and young people with cancer and their families.
The support scheme will launch across England by 2027 as part of the National Cancer Plan, which was published on Feb. 4, 2026, to mark World Cancer Day. Families will be able to claim back the cost of travelling to and from specialist cancer treatment centres, with the fund available to everyone regardless of household income.
How the Scheme Will Work
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said the move will allow families to focus on their child's recovery rather than worrying about transport expenses. "When a child is diagnosed with cancer, their family's only focus should be on helping them recover and getting them well, not on whether they can afford the petrol or bus fare to get to their next appointment," he stated.
Children with cancer in England currently receive treatment at one of 13 specialist centres, according to the BBC. This means many families must travel long distances for frequent appointments over months or even years. Research shows that more than one-third of families travel over an hour to reach the hospital, and the average family spends around $315 each month on transport costs alone.
The financial burden has serious consequences for many households. Parents often have to reduce work hours or stop working altogether to care for their sick children. At the same time, travel expenses add further pressure to already stretched family budgets. Charities report that some families have gone into debt or missed treatment appointments because they could not afford to pay for transport.
Professor Peter Johnson, National Clinical Director for Cancer at NHS England, said the fund addresses a long-standing gap in support. He explained that children with cancer often need repeated long-distance travel for specialist care, which adds considerable pressure to families during their most difficult times.
The new funding means families will no longer have to choose between being present for their child's treatment and affording everyday essentials.
The scheme will support all children and young people with cancer up to the age of 24. Further details about how claims will be processed and whether there will be caps on individual claims will be released as the scheme is developed.
Support From Charities and Families
Cancer charities have welcomed the announcement. Rachel Kirby-Rider, Chief Executive of Young Lives vs Cancer, said her organisation has campaigned for this support for nearly a decade, Made for Mums reported.
"Today's announcement of dedicated travel costs support is a huge step forward in transforming the lives of children and young people with cancer and their families," she said.
Real families have already shared how the fund will help them. Emma Wilding from West Lancashire described how her son Theo was diagnosed with Infant Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia when he was five months old.
The family had to travel 45 minutes each way to Alder Hey Children's Hospital for treatment. She said: "When Theo was going through treatment, we had no choice but to pay out for fuel and parking at the hospital. However, at a time when our household income had gone down, this was a struggle financially."
The travel fund is part of a wider package of improvements for young cancer patients. The government has also committed to better access to clinical trials, expanded genetic testing, earlier cancer detection, improved hospital food standards, and increased mental health and emotional support during treatment.
Hospitals will employ youth support coordinators to help teenagers and young adults manage education, emotional well-being, and fertility concerns during their cancer journey, as per Healthcare Management.
