Responding to publication of the government's response to a health and social care committee report on cancer services, the director of policy and strategy at NHS Providers Miriam Deakin said:

"The pandemic has resulted in people left waiting longer than NHS trusts want for diagnosis or to start treatment.

"Cancer is a top priority for trusts who understand the risk to patients who have to wait longer. Urgent referrals for suspected cancer are far higher now than before the pandemic.

"There is more to do to clear backlogs and extra community diagnostic and surgical hubs will help to boost capacity in cancer services.

"Severe staff shortages affect cancer services too, in common with the rest of the health and care system. Trusts need more staff across the board to be able to reduce delays and to treat patients as quickly as possible."