The government has unveiled a long-term cancer plan for England aimed at ensuring 75% of patients live for at least five years after diagnosis by 2035. Ministers say the strategy, which focuses on faster diagnosis and treatment, could deliver the strongest improvement in cancer outcomes seen this century. Current figures show five-year survival stands at around 60%, trailing behind several comparable countries.

Central to the plan is a commitment to meet the NHS target for starting treatment within 62 days of referral by 2029, a standard not achieved for more than a decade. The strategy also promises millions more tests and scans, expanded use of robotic surgery, and greater access to specialist centres for rare and complex cancers. Genetic testing will be widened so more patients can receive targeted therapies.

Early diagnosis is described as critical, with efforts to improve screening and identify cancers at earlier stages. Measures include lowering thresholds for bowel cancer checks and expanding targeted lung cancer screening for people with a history of smoking. Every patient would also be offered personalised support plans and a named care lead to help coordinate care beyond treatment.

While the proposals have been broadly welcomed, experts have warned that staffing shortages could undermine progress. Professional bodies point to significant gaps in radiology and oncology roles, arguing that sustained investment in the specialist workforce is essential. Cancer charities say the ambition is encouraging but stress that prevention, workforce capacity and regional inequalities must be tackled to deliver lasting change.

The government has announced plans to create 10,000 additional foster care placements in England by relaxing fostering rules and reducing bureaucracy. Ministers say the changes are needed to address a critical shortage of foster carers, which has led to more vulnerable children being placed in residential children’s homes rather than family settings.

Under the proposals, it will become easier for people who work full time to foster, and outdated eligibility criteria used by some councils will be reviewed. Clearer guidance is also expected to encourage people from a wider range of backgrounds, including those from ethnic minority communities, to come forward. An additional £88m has been pledged to support reforms to the fostering system.

Official figures show the number of foster carers in England fell by 12% between 2021 and March 2025, with 1,140 fewer foster placements available over the past year alone. During the same period, the number of children placed in residential care rose by 9%. Spending on children’s homes has almost doubled in five years, reaching £3.1bn in 2023–24, according to the National Audit Office.

Children and families minister Josh MacAlister said reversing the decline in foster placements was an “urgent priority”. Although around 150,000 people expressed interest in fostering last year, just over 7,000 were approved. The government believes modernising the system could significantly increase capacity before the end of the current parliament.