Under the scheme, young people under 24 and those caring for them, won’t have to pay to get to appointments which are often in specialist clinics far from home.
In response to today’s announcement that the government is setting aside £10 million a year to pay for the travel costs for families of children with cancer, Sarah Woods, CEO at Momentum Children’s Charity in East Molesey said:
“This is a really positive step for children with cancer and their families. A cancer diagnosis turns a family’s world upside down and we regularly hear from parents who have had to give up work to care for their seriously unwell child, creating intense financial pressure at a time when the cost of living continues to rise. A Momentum survey, published in January 2026, revealed that travel is the single biggest cost for families, with the majority spending £100 to £300 every month just getting to vital hospital appointments.
Families tell us that juggling these challenges takes a serious toll on both their own mental wellbeing and that of their children. At Momentum Children’s Charity, we provide both emotional and practical support for families, including a dedicated social work service to help families navigate financial and social issues.
We welcome the government’s announcement and look forward to learning more about what further measures will be introduced to support families when the National Cancer Plan is launched tomorrow.”
