2024 in review – 7 significant steps forward for cancer policy

From Longer, better lives: A manifesto for cancer research and care, to a snap general election, to legislation to create a smokefree generation – 2024 has been an exciting year of change in cancer and research policy.  

In calling for change in Westminster, the devolved nations and around the globe, together we’ve made big strides towards a world where people can all live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer. Read more about some of the Cancer Research UK Policy Department’s most significant moments this year.  

1 – Campaigning for a turning point for cancer this general election 

2024 was a general election year in the UK – and along with that came a big opportunity to call on all political parties to help create change to improve outcomes for people affected by cancer.  

That’s why, in the lead up to the general election, we launched an open letter to party leaders calling on them to back our five pledges for longer, better lives and make cancer a priority in their manifestos. An incredible 21,000 supporters signed this letter – sending a strong message to all political parties that urgent action is needed to transform cancer outcomes in the UK.  

Then, when the general election was called in May, our campaigners were quick to react, sending thousands of emails to their local parliamentary candidates to ask them to help make this general election a turning point for cancer. A mammoth 3,285 candidates from across all political parties were contacted, asking them to act for people affected by cancer by backing research, ending cancers caused by smoking, ending the waits, driving earlier diagnosis, and leading on cancer. 

Thanks to the involvement of our supporters, political parties across the UK listened with strong commitments in their party manifestos. Importantly, we saw commitments from the newly elected government on cancer – a renewed drive on cutting the lives lost to cancer, to diagnose more cancers earlier supported by investment in diagnostic scanners, and a commitment to cut waiting lists with more NHS appointments.  

But there’s still more to be done to make our ambitions a reality and ensure that we make this Parliament a turning point for cancer. You can help by joining the campaign.  

Next, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will enter Committee and Report stages in the House of Commons, before repeating the process in the House of Lords after Third Reading. We will continue to campaign to ensure that plans to raise the age of sale of tobacco become a reality. We want to see this legislation passed and implemented in all four nations of the UK, to help ensure that the biggest cause of cancer has no place in our future. There’s still time to email your MP.  

Watch our Policy Manager Alizée Froguel explains the government’s new Tobacco and Vapes Bill:

3 – A 10-year health plan and a commitment to a cancer strategy in England

In September, responding to the publication of a report by Lord Darzi on the state of the NHS in England, the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, announced that his government would develop a 10-year plan for the NHS in England. We welcomed the announcement of this plan, urging the UK Government to make cancer a key part of it.  

With the help of campaigners, we want to make sure that the views of people affected by cancer are heard loud and clear in this once in a decade opportunity to shape the NHS. 

A month later in November saw another of our key commitments from Longer, better lives secured, when Health Minister, Stephen Kinnock, announced the UK Government committed to developing a cancer strategy for England. In announcing the commitment, our campaigning received a positive endorsement as Minister Stephen Kinnock described Cancer Research UK being “at the forefront of advocating for a robust cancer strategy.”  

But this commitment to a new cancer strategy is just the first step. We need to see the National Cancer Plan deliver on the Government’s cancer commitments, backed up by investment, reform and strong political leadership. With that, we can deliver long-term solutions to the long-term problems facing cancer patients and help everyone lead longer, better lives free from the fear of cancer.  

4 – Funding cancer research

In the UK Government’s Spring 2024 Budget, we were delighted to see £3 million in funding announced by the Chancellor to specifically support our promising early career cancer researchers – as part of a wider £45 million package for medical research charities.  

This funding, from the Medical Research Charities Early Career Researchers Support Fund, was a welcome boost at a time when inflation and the cost of living is negatively impacting research. 

Adding to the funding promised in previous years, Cancer Research UK received a total of £6.7 million funding for early careers researchers. This is a substantial win following the joint sector Research at Risk campaign, where, alongside partners such as the Association of Medical Research Charities and the British Heart Foundation we called on the UK Government to support the vital role of medical research charities. Over three years, the Fund has provided a total of £115m to support early career researchers funded by medical research charities.  

But our campaigning for sustainable cancer research continues. In Longer, better lives, we set out our recommendations to rebuild the UK’s global position in biomedical research. The UK Government must back research by setting out a plan for a resilient future for cancer research funding. While we can celebrate our successes of 2024, there’s still much to do in 2025.

5 – Campaigning in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland

6 – Working internationally to help eliminate cervical cancer

In India, Cancer Research UK’s programme in collaboration with the American Cancer Society has supported the training of over 15,000 obstetricians, gynaecologists, and paediatricians to promote the uptake of the HPV vaccine and key medical societies, playing an increasing role in championing HPV vaccination nationally.  

We also launched three new small grants to drive  HPV Vaccination uptake in Africa and Asia with partners in Eswatini, Nepal, Kenya, and Malawi. These grants are an exciting new way for us to fund research, providing the initial financial support local organisations needed to kickstart projects aiming to improve HPV vaccination access and uptake.

7 – Legislation to limit junk food advertising to children

This year brought us another step closer to achieving the aims of our Junk Free TV campaign. Launched back in 2016, this campaign called for the UK Government to introduce restrictions on the advertisement of foods high in fat, sugar and salt before 9pm on TV, and at all times online.  

Overweight and obesity is the second biggest cause of cancer in the UK and is linked to 13 types of cancer. Our research shows that young people exposed to junk food marketing are clearly influenced in their food choices. There is also a strong link* between advertising and health inequalities, with children and families from more deprived backgrounds being more exposed to junk food advertising than their less deprived peers.