What a ‘No. 10 North’ could mean for cancer in Yorkshire

As Chief Executive at Yorkshire Cancer Research, I’ve seen the impact regional inequalities can have on people affected by cancer.

Despite progress made in recent years, where someone lives can still influence their likelihood of getting cancer, their ability to access potentially life-saving health services, the treatment they receive and whether they are offered the opportunity to take part in and benefit from research. 

In short, a person’s postcode can determine their likelihood of surviving cancer. 

That’s why I welcome Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s proposal to create a ‘No. 10 North’. 

Shifting power away from London could make a transformational difference by ensuring decisions about research investment, healthcare infrastructure and workforce planning are made with a better understanding of the communities being served.

But it will only succeed if Yorkshire’s voice is heard loud and clear alongside those of other regions. 

Yorkshire must not be overlooked

For Yorkshire Cancer Research, this is not a new conversation.

For many years, Yorkshire Cancer Research has championed action to address regional inequalities and ensure that the needs of people in Yorkshire are recognised by decision-makers.

It is a fundamental part of why the charity exists. We are currently funding £75 million in life-saving research so people living in Yorkshire receive the best cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment – whoever they are and wherever they live. 

Through this work, the charity has developed significant expertise in understanding and addressing these disparities and, crucially, in identifying what works to improve survival across a diverse region.

Evidence from the Leeds Lung Health Check, funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research, contributed to the National Screening Committee's recommendation for an NHS Lung Cancer Screening Programme. This demonstrates how investment in regions such as Yorkshire can benefit people far beyond the region itself.

Time and again, people across Yorkshire have told us they want their voices heard. Last year, thousands joined our call for the needs of the region to be reflected in the National Cancer Plan.

The publication of the plan in February 2026 marked an important step forward, reflecting many of the priorities raised by Yorkshire Cancer Research and committing to ending the postcode lottery in cancer care.

National standards for healthcare, such as those outlined in the National Cancer Plan, will continue to be important in reducing variation and ensuring everyone has the best possible chance of a long and healthy life.

But by giving local leaders more power to decide how to deliver these standards, No. 10 North could present an opportunity to build on that work and take a huge leap forward in creating a Yorkshire free from cancer. 

Fairer research funding must be part of the solution

If No. 10 North is to deliver on its ambition of reducing inequalities and creating growth in every postcode, a fairer approach to research investment must form part of that vision.

Healthcare settings where research takes place are often quicker to adopt new treatments and technologies, helping more people benefit from the latest advances in care. Importantly, these benefits extend beyond those who directly participate in research. 

Clinical research can also attract investment, strengthen local economies and support workforce development.

Yet funding remains unevenly distributed across the country.

Despite being home to around 8% of the UK's population, Yorkshire receives just 5% of health research funding. By comparison, London is home to 13% of the population but receives 32% of health research funding.

What success would look like for Yorkshire

For No. 10 North to succeed, it must represent a genuine transfer of power. 

Yorkshire's communities should not have to compete to be heard. Their experiences should be central to decisions about healthcare, research investment, infrastructure and economic growth.

Just as importantly, policymakers must recognise that ‘the North’ is not a single, uniform place. Yorkshire contains diverse communities and economies, from coastal towns and rural villages to major cities, former industrial areas and affluent suburbs, all with different strengths, challenges and health needs.

This diversity means there is significant variation in access to and availability of services, participation in screening and factors that increase the risk of cancer within Yorkshire. Smoking rates, for example, range from 7% in York to more than 18% in Hull.

A successful No. 10 North would ensure that these differences are understood and reflected in policy. It would bring greater investment into regions that have historically been overlooked, support fairer access to research opportunities and help reduce the inequalities that continue to affect people affected by cancer.

A moment Yorkshire cannot afford to miss

The proposal for No. 10 North presents a significant opportunity, but its success will be measured by whether it improves people's lives.

For Yorkshire, that means ensuring our communities are heard, our expertise is recognised and our challenges are addressed. It means creating a fairer system in which every region has the opportunity to benefit from research, innovation and investment.

Yorkshire Cancer Research stands ready to work with the Government, No. 10 North and regional leaders to help make that happen. 

Together, we can ensure this new approach delivers greater research investment, reduced health inequalities and lasting improvements for people affected by cancer across Yorkshire and beyond.